About 100,000 fake COVID-19 test reports were issued by a private agency during the Kumbh Mela in Uttarakhand's Haridwar, according to a probe report. The report came after the Haridwar district administration ordered a probe into the allegations that fake COVID-19 test reports were issued by private laboratories. The Kumba Mela, the largest religious congregation of HIndus, has been called a "superspreader" for the coronavirus in India. 

The probe found out that a single phone number was used to register over 50 people, IBNS said quoting local media. 

One antigen test kit was shown to have tested 700 samples. 

About 200 sample collectors registered with the agency turned out to be students who have never been to Haridwar and data entry operators or residents of Rajasthan, who have never been to Haridwar,  Times Now reported. 

The Kumbh Mela, which was allowed by the government to be held amid the second wave of COVID-19, saw hundreds of thousands of devotees taking a holy dip in the Ganga river, considered sacred by Hindus, and took place from Apr 1 to 30 in the state. (SAM)