Congress leaks investigative report to attack BSY before bypoll

BENGALURU: With polls around the corner, the Congress government in Karnataka sparked fresh controversy on Saturday by allegedly leaking portions of a probe commission's preliminary report accusing the then BJP government of financial mismanagement during the Covid-19 pandemic becomes.
“Justice Michael D'Cunha Commission “The preliminary report of the inquiry committee has found financial mismanagement in procurement of medical supplies during the BJP-led government and recommended prosecution of (then chief minister) Yediyurappa and (then health minister) Sriramulu under the Prevention of Corruption Act,” said Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao.
He added that the full report is expected in six to seven months.
The controversy stems from the commission's preliminary report submitted on August 31, which accused the BJP government of spending around Rs 7,224 crore on medical equipment and PPE kits during the pandemic.
The state government then set up an SIT and a sub-committee to decide the next course of action.
In a strong rebuttal, Yediyurappa dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. “This is an old issue that is being dredged up for political reasons. We didn't commit any fraud. Everything was done within the legal framework,” he said.
Sriramulu joined Yediyurappa's defense and described the allegations as “politically motivated”.
Earlier, Gundu Rao accused the former BJP government of profiting from the pandemic. “A loss of around ₹14 crore was incurred in procurement of PPE kits,” Rao claimed.
Rao added that notices would soon be served on the officers involved and charges would be filed if possible. “While some cases require further investigation, in other cases immediate action can be taken,” the minister said.
On the Commission's recommendation to recover Rs 500 crore, Rao has indicated that a separate team would be formed to expedite recovery after the polls. He also hinted that the probe could involve K Sudhakar, who succeeded Sriramulu as the state's health minister.