ETV Bharat investigations: No COVID labs present at the Noida address

ETV Bharat investigated the address (C - 206, Sector - 63 Noida, UP - 201301) mentioned on the website of the Max Corporate Services— which was responsible for the tests conducted during Kumbh Mela— but found that some other corporate offices are operating at the mentioned address.

New Delhi: A controversy has erupted over issuing bogus covid reports of over one lakh devotees who visited Haridwar for Kumbh Mela which was held in April this year. According to the reports, a Noida based private agency was hired by the Uttarakhand government to conduct COVID-19 tests. The agency has mentioned Noida as their official address.

However, when ETV Bharat investigated the address (C - 206, Sector - 63 Noida, UP - 201301) mentioned on the website of the Max Corporate Services— which was responsible for the tests conducted during Kumbh Mela— it was found that some other corporate offices are operating at the mentioned address.

Address mentioned on the website of the Max Corporate Services

When asked the staffs working at the office premises, they revealed that they have been working at the offices for more than a decade. When we familiarised them with the controversy, they are also surprised over the developments and said, "No such labs are operating in the building premises."

What is the controversy?

The government had appointed private labs for conducting COVID-19 tests during Mahakumbh. Media reports revealed that the lab which was assigned for the testing had issued fake covid reports. Subsequently, the Haridwar district administration ordered an investigation into allegations. Preliminary investigation revealed that many private labs roped in by the district health department issued fake COVID test reports in the name of random people on the basis of their identity cards and phone numbers. Reportedly, the lab had issued fake reports to more than 1 lakh devotees.

What government says

State government spokesperson Subodh Uniyal said that orders have been issued to the Director-General of Health in this regard and all districts have been asked to investigate COVID-19 testing labs properly before making any payment. The government had hired private labs for conducting COVID-19 tests during Mahakumbh.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Union Health Ministry Lav Agarwal said that the Ministry has discussed it but figures of fake reports are still not confirmed. Agarwal further said, "The figure is to be determined at the end of the enquiry, but we discussed in detail with state health secretary and he will be submitting a detailed report within next 7-8 days and action will be taken at the state level."