Trinamool Congress MP Mimi Chakraborty on Wednesday claimed that a man posed as an IAS officer and requested her to attend a COVID-19 vaccination drive in West Bengal's Kolkata. As per the actor-turned-politician, she not only attended the drive but also got jabbed to motivate people to take the COVID-19 vaccinations in a bid to contain the pandemic. Chakraborty lodged a complaint when she did not receive the customary SMS that is sent to people after they are administered a dose. On its basis, the Kolkata Police arrested a man, identified as Debanjan Deb. He had orchestrated a vaccination drive posing as Joint Commissioner of Calcutta Corporation (IAS rank).
The man was taken into custody after Mimi alerted the police. "He said that he was running a special drive for transgenders and specially-abled persons and requested for my presence," said the MP."I took Covishield vaccine at the camp to motivate people for taking jabs. But I never received a confirmation message from CoWIN," she added. Mimi also said that the accused “was using a car with a blue beacon fake sticker”. Outgoing Mayor and KMC Board of Administrators chairman Firhad Hakim said if any official of the municipal corporation is found to be involved in the case, strict action will be taken against him. The Kolkata Police also found a "fake identity card" and impounded a four-wheeler from the possession of the accused. Police are trying to ascertain how the miscreants got access to Covishield vaccines which were used for the drive. They are also trying to ascertain if the vaccines were fake. The vials have been sent to a lab for inspection.