Three teams are currently investigating the Haridwar Kumbh RT-PCR test scam. An FIR has been registered against the accused and investigating teams claim to have gathered evidences indicating fraud. Here is what has happened so far in this case.
The 2021 Haridwar Kumbh Mela saw a daily gathering of lakhs of people from across the country in the midst of the second wave of coronavirus infections. (Photo: PTI)
The Uttarakhand government has constituted an eight-member team that is dialling these numbers one by one and verifying them.
Sources say the team has collected several evidences pertaining to the scam, but more calls are being made and the probe is on.
WHAT IS THE KUMBH RT-PCR TEST SCAM?
During the Haridwar Kumbh Mela, the Uttarakhand government had authorised 11 private companies to carry out RT-PCR tests of people attending the fair. This was done in order to detect Covid-19 cases and prevent the viral infection from spreading in the Kumbh Mela area.
Among these 11 companies was one named Max Corporate Services, which in turn hired Nalwa Labs and Dr Lalchandani Labs to conduct RT-PCR tests. Nearly 1 lakh carried out by these labs are under the scanner.
As per the instructions of Haridwar District Magistrate (DM) C Ravishankar, the labs conducting RT-PCR tests were supposed to mandatorily record details of each person whose samples were being collected. However, despite this, the private labs flouted norms and resorted to illegal means to showcase an inflated number of tests conducted by them.
The DM has already constituted a three-member team to investigate the matter and the probe is on.
Apart from this, the state government has also formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate this case.
HOW THE SCAM CAME TO LIGHT
The Haridwar Kumbh RT-PCR test scam came to light when one Vipin Mittal, a resident of Faridkot (in Punjab), wrote to the Uttarakhand health secretary stating that even though he did not attend the Kumbh Mela, an RT-PCR report from Haridwar was delivered to him.
Following this, the health secretary ordered the Haridwar DM to investigate this matter. The DM formed a committee to investigate this, and it was during this investigation that the story of the 1 lakh fake RT-PCR tests came to light.
Soon, the Haridwar Kumbh RT-PCR test scam made national headlines.
CASE FILED, LABS BOOKED
Following the findings of the preliminary investigation, which indicated fraud by the private labs, the district magistrate ordered a case to be registered against them. Acting on the complaint of Haridwar's Chief Medical Officer Dr SK Jha, the police filed a case on June 17.
The three private firms have been accused:
- Resorting to fraud in the name of carrying out RT-PCR tests during Haridwar Kumbh Mela
- Preparing Covid-19 test reports of even those who did not attend the Kumbh Mela and submitting the fake reports to the administration
- Conducting hundreds of tests at one location itself
- Registering several people using the same mobile phone number
AGENCIES INVESTIGATING THE SCAM
The investigation into the Haridwar Kumbh RT-PCR test scam is being conducted primarily at two levels: (1) By the district administration; and (2) By the administration in-charge of conducting the Kumbh Mela.
The probe ordered by district administration is being led by Haridwar Chief Development Officer Saurabh Gaharwar, while the probe by the Kumbh Mela administration is being led by a senior health officer who is heading a five-member team.
Sources say the investigation carried out by the district administration has found evidences that the three private labs resorted to fraudulent methods. After getting the approval, Max Corporate Services outsourced the task of conducting RT-PCR test to Nalwa Labs and Dr Lalchandani Labs.
In turn, Nalwa Labs further outsources the work to a company called Dolifia, even though it did not have a licence to conduct RT-PCR tests.
As per the investigation carried out by the district administration, between April 13 and May 16, these companies provided entries of 1,04,796 samples. Of these, details of 95,102 samples were uploaded on the online portal.
It has been alleged that in order to maximise their profits, these companies prepared fake test reports. For example, these companies claimed to have collected 3,925 samples in Haridwar's Nepali Farm area. However, all these samples were registered against the same mobile phone number.
Given the scale and gravity of the matter, the Uttarakhand SIT (Special Investigation Team) has also started its probe. This team is being directly monitored by DGP Ashok Kumar.
The SIT has issued notices to the three private labs and summoned them for questioning. It has also issued notices to others who are linked to this case, started investigating documents related to the scam and questioning officials concerned.
TAMPERING WITH DOCUMENTS
Apart from the allegation of having conducted nearly one lakh fake RT-PCR tests, Max Corporate Services has also been accused of tampering with documents related to its application to conduct RT-PCR tests.
Sources say, based on its application, Max Corporate Services got permission to conduct RT-PCR tests on March 12, 2021. However, there is an overwriting on the date mentioned in the permission and it has been changed to January 12, 2021. The document was signed by the officer in-charge of health services at the Kumbh Mela. The date below his signature has been overwritten.
WHAT THESE LABS HAVE TO SAY IN DEFENCE
Max Corporate Services and Dr Lalchandani Labs have approached the Uttarakhand High Court and challenged the FIR filed against them.
In its plea, Max Corporate Services argued that charges of fraud levelled against it are baseless. Its counsel Kartikey Hari Gupta said Nalwa Labs and Dr Lalchandani Labs are both testing facilities that have been certified by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR).
"Max Corporate Services has nothing to do with this alleged fraud. It is just a service provider. It only provided services to the two companies that carried out the tests," he argued, adding that even Max wants truth in the case to come out.
"Collection of all samples and their data entry was carried out in front of the capable officials of the government," Gupta argued, pleading the court to provide protection to his client from any adverse action from the government's side. "We are ready to provide all possible help in the investigation," he told the court.
Meanwhile, Dr Lalchandani labs too has approached the high court seeking to quash the FIR registered against it in the Haridwar Kumbh RT-PCR fraud case.
It has argued that it was given the task to conduct RT-PCR test at the Kumbh Mela by Max Corporate Services, and that it carried out the tests as per protocol. "All records of the tests are available with us. We are an ICMR certified lab," it stated.
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