SIT Team Arrests Main Accused In Fake Covid-19 Testing Scam During Haridwar Kumbh: Report

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested Mallika and Sharat Pant of Max Corporate services on 8 November. They are the two main accused in connection with fake Covid-19 tests conducted during Haridwar Kumbh Mela which was held earlier this year.

This report says that Haridwar SSP Senthil Avoodai Krishna Raj S had said that efforts are being made by the SIT to arrest the accused.

The scam pertains to the issuing of negative Covid-19 test reports to people whose samples were not taken and people who did not attend the Kumbh Mela.

In August, the ED had initiated a money laundering investigation on the basis of the FIR registered by the Uttarakhand Police.

In August, a report on the Hindustan Times website said: "Health officials in Haridwar ignored the first inkling of a major scam in Covid-19 testing during the Mahakumbh in mid-April by allowing private firm Max Corporate Services to continue tests despite concerns of irregularities being raised, an inquiry conducted by Haridwar’s chief development officer (CDO) Saurabh Gaharwar, has revealed."

On 26 August, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had passed orders for the suspension of Dr Arjun Singh Sengar — the mela officer (medical and health) — and Dr NK Tyagi — officer in charge (medical and health) — for their alleged involvement in the fake testing scam.

This report says that in August this year, the court of the chief judicial magistrate, Haridwar, had issued non-bailable warrants against Mallika and Sharat Pant of Max Corporate services and Dr Navtej Nalwa of Nalwa Path Labs in connection with fake Covid tests conducted during the Kumbh mela.

Three companies have been reportedly named in an FIR lodged in connection with the case and these two firms and their owners were among these three companies.