1 week Ago By Gururaj A Paniyadi
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has acknowledged media reports regarding recommendations from a committee led by retired Justice John Michael D'Cunha to file cases against former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and former Health Minister B Sriramulu under the Prevention of Corruption Act. These recommendations relate to alleged corruption in PPE kit procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The D'Cunha Committee report, submitted in August, spans over 1,700 pages and is currently under review by a Cabinet Sub-Committee, Siddaramaiah revealed.
"The government will take appropriate action after a thorough examination," he said in a statement. "This is a scam we initially exposed. During COVID, the government’s duty was to ensure adequate treatment and save lives, but they allegedly sought profit in a dire situation.
" Siddaramaiah also expressed concern over the scale of the alleged corruption, which media reports estimate at Rs. 10,000 to 15,000 crore. He stated that the information circulating may be "just the tip of the iceberg" and that the committee may have gathered substantial evidence.
The Chief Minister demanded that Yediyurappa, his son Vijayendra, and Sriramulu suspend their election campaigns until the inquiry concludes. "If they have any self-respect, they should refrain from public appearances," he said, urging people to boycott their events. The Congress party previously highlighted the cost discrepancies, revealing that Indian PPE kits were available at Rs 200-300 each, while Yediyurappa’s government allegedly procured kits at Rs 2,000 from Chinese companies.
“We presented proof of corruption in purchasing medical supplies like beds, ventilators, oxygen, and sanitizers, but the government denied these allegations,” Siddaramaiah stated. Siddaramaiah further alleged that the former BJP government may have misrepresented COVID-19 death figures, claiming the actual toll could be over 50,000 in Karnataka alone. He suggested that inadequate pandemic response, compounded by corruption, led to preventable deaths.
"People have died not just from COVID-19 but from a corruption virus," he remarked, holding the BJP-led government from 2019 to 2023 accountable. The CM also implicated BY Vijayendra, Yediyurappa’s son and the current BJP state president, stating he was involved in the government administration. He further linked Sriramulu’s political ascent to previous scandals, including alleged involvement in the mining sector.
“For them, politics has been about profit—whether through iron ore or life-saving medical supplies,” he said, condemning their current campaign efforts. Siddaramaiah assured that his government remains committed to addressing these allegations once the D'Cunha report review concludes..
