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 .