Cops file FIR in Kumbh ‘fake’ Covid test case, CM calls it a ‘serious crime’

The Haridwar Police on Thursday filed an FIR against one firm and two private laboratories for allegedly faking reports of Covid-19 tests during the Kumbh congregation held this year. 

On the complaint of chief medical officer, the firm Max Corporate Service (MCS) and two private laboratories–Delhi-based Lal Chandani Lab and Hissar-based Nalwa lab–have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. 

“A detailed inquiry is expected in ten days as there are a lot of samples. A special investigation team will be formed. It is not possible for a laboratory to conduct so many tests. A case has also been registered over matters pertaining to ICMR accreditation and empanelment,” said Haridwar’s district magistrate C. Ravishankar. 

The corona investigation done by a private laboratory of devotees visiting Haridwar during Kumbh Mela 2021 has now come under the scanner. An attempt has been made to dupe the Kumbh Mela administration by fraudulently examining the devotees by a private laboratory. The same phone number has been put in the test report of many devotees by this private laboratory.  The same Aadhaar card has been used in many investigation reports. At the same time, the case of investigation of hundreds of people from the same house has come to the fore, which seems impossible. At the same time, a private laboratory from Haridwar sent a test report of Covid-19 to a youth from Punjab, while the youth did not even reach Haridwar to attend the Kumbh Mela. The matter was complained to the ICMR by the said youth, after which the ICMR issued instructions for investigation. 

The Maha Kumbh Mela was held from 1 to 30 April this year and was spread over Haridwar district and Rishikesh region, which includes Rishikesh in Dehradun district, Muni ki Reti in Tehri and Swargashram in Pauri.

Meanwhile, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Thursday said that the alleged Covid-19 testing scam during the Haridwar Mahakumbh earlier this year is not just a case of negligence, but a serious crime and an impartial investigation should be conducted in this matter.

“This (the Covid-19 testing scam) is a serious crime, not negligence. Stringent action should be taken and an impartial investigation should be conducted in this matter,” Rawat told ANI.

It has been reported that at least 1 lakh Covid-19 reports of tests conducted during Kumbh Mela have been found to be fake.