2nd FIR in vaccine scam, 150 employees of production house get jab but no certificates

India: Mumbai’s Versova Police registered a second FIR in an alleged scam of vaccination of the employees of a film production house in the city. The fraud was conducted by the same group that duped residents of the Hiranandani Estate Society in Mumbai.

On May 29, 150 employees and family members of Matchbox Pictures were given their first shot of Covishield vaccine. This vaccination drive was also conducted by the same group of people who conducted the fake drive at Kandivali’s Hiranandani Estate Society.

“We have registered an FIR. Accused are the same as those arrested by Kandivali police station. We will take their custody once the investigation by Kandivali Police is over,” said a senior official from Versova police station. Kandivali Police has till now arrested four accused in the Hiranandani case.

According to the complaint, the vaccine beneficiaries weren’t given any vaccination certificates even after they received the jabs.

The accused told them that due to a backlog, their certificates would be issued a week later. The beneficiaries soon got worried because none of them experienced any symptoms following the jab.

An FIR was registered at the Versova police station under Sections 268 (public nuisance), 270 (malignant act which is likely to spread infection of any disease dangerous to life), 274 (adulteration of drugs), 275 (sale of adulterated drugs), 419 (cheating by personation), 420 (cheating), 465 (forgery) and relevant sections of IT Act and Epidemic Diseases Act.