Karnataka govt to re-open probe into 2021 Chamarajanagar Covid tragedy

Officials have been asked to take action 'based on facts'. A separate committee will be formed at the official level, also involving some retired officials, to look into the report, 'for guiding and for follow up action', he said.

The Congress government said Saturday it would reopen investigation into the 2021 tragedy in Chamarajanagar where more than 24 Covid-19 patients died without oxygen when the BJP was in power.

The decision to revisit the Chamarajanagar case was taken by the Cabinet sub-committee that is overseeing investigation into Covid-19 irregularities.

This comes right on the heels of the ruling Congress facing heat for maternal deaths in Ballari into which the BJP has demanded a judicial probe.

"A report was submitted that nothing happened, that there was no human error in the Chamarajanagar case. The government hasn't accepted this report. We'll investigate the case again," Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who heads the Cabinet sub-committee, said.

Shivakumar recalled that he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were "witnesses" to the Chamarajanagar tragedy when they were in the opposition. "The then minister said only three people died. But I myself gave compensation to the family of 36 people who died. I visited all their homes," Shivakumar said.

The Cabinet sub-committee, which is studying the Justice John Michael Cunha Commission's report on Covid-19 irregularities, raised doubts over the Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests conducted in Bengaluru.

"In BBMP limits, 84 lakh tests were done for which a bill of Rs 502 crore was raised and Rs 400 crore paid. In the Kidwai institute alone, 24 lakh tests were done! We got scared looking at this number," Shivakumar said. "None there (at Kidwai) was technically fit. There was no ICMR approval. A bill of Rs 146 crore was raised," he said.

Shivakumar suspected foul play by juxtaposing the RT-PCR test figures with the city's population. "The city's population is 1.4 crore to 1.10 crore. Going by the test figures, two persons in every household was subjected to RT-PCR," he said.

Shivakumar also said that another committee comprising retired officials may be formed for guidance as in-service officers will have other commitments.

"We will not carry out a witch-hunt. Having said that, we can't hush-up what's in (Cunha's) report. Officials have been authorised to initiate action against whoever was involved," Shivakumar said, adding that those who erred will face FIRs and disciplinary action.

Medical Education Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil and Home Minister G Parameshwar were present in the Cabinet sub-committee meeting on Saturday.