Top Kumbh Mela official orders probe into Covid-19 testing scam after investigation flags 1 lakh 'fake' tests

After the Haridwar administration ordered a probe into allegations that fake Covid reports were issued by private labs engaged to conduct tests during the Kumbh Mela, a mela official has also set up an internal committee to probe the matter.

A ‘Covid-testing scam’ has come to light in Uttarakhand with multiple private labs under the scanner for allegedly conducting fake Covid-19 tests during the Maha Kumbh Mela held earlier this year. As per reports, the Uttarakhand government has directed the Haridwar district administration to register a case against private laboratories engaged by the state government to conduct tests during the Kumbh Mela. Sources in the health department said they suspect that more than one lakh ‘fake’ test results were issued by private labs. The labs apparently did so to meet the daily testing quota of 50,000 tests set by the Uttarakhand High Court during the Kumbh, the sources said.