7 controversies sparked by Kanika Kapoor after she tested positive for Coronavirus

Kanika Kapoor tested positive for Coronavirus last week and became first Bollywood celebrity to have contracted Covid-19. The popular singer had reportedly returned to India from London and then travelled to Lucknow, where she attended a few social gatherings not knowing about her condition. Kanika is currently in isolation in Lucknow. Kanika has been hitting headlines ever since she tested positive for Coronavirus, on Friday last week. Here’s taking a look at 7 controversies sparked after her diagnosis.

As soon as Kanika revealed that she had tested positive for Coronavirus, reports suggested that she had hosted a bash in Lucknow. The ‘Baby Doll’ singer faced a lot of flak on social media and was tagged as being ‘irresponsible’. Finally opening up about the party controversy, Kanika had told Bombay Times, “I never hosted a party. I attended a small birthday bash, which Vasundhara Raje ji has also tweeted about. There were several politicians there, including Dushyant Singh, but it wasn't as big a gathering as it is being made out. It was a small one where I was a guest, not the hostess. For this, too, I've given the health officials names of all those who were at the party."

The biggest controversy which emerged after Kanika Kapoor tested positive for Covid-19, was the legal action which followed. An FIR was lodged against the singer by Lucknow's Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Narendra Kumar Agarwal, at the Sarojini Nagar Police Station, on Friday night under Sections 188 (disobedience of an order duly promulgated by a public servant), 269 (negligently acting in a way likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life), and 270 (malignant act likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life) of the Indian Penal Code. According to the Lucknow police, two more FIRs were registered against Kanika for negligence, at Hazratganj Police Station and at Gomti Nagar Police Station.

Kanika Kapoor testing positive led to authorities mapping her contacts in the past few days. And it has emerged that the singer was residing in the same hotel as the South Africa cricket team, leading them to the risk of infection. “There are reports that she dined in the hotel’s buffet and also attended several guests in the lobby. She was living there at a time when the South African team was staying in the hotel for the ODI match (against India), which eventually was called off. There is information that Kanika was seen briefly attending a news channel’s annual conclave held at the hotel. Therefore, it is important to scan the CCTV footage and list those who came in contact with her,” an officer engaged in surveillance was quoted by Timesofindia.com.

Soon after Kanika tested positive, pictures of her test went viral on social media. According to a news portal, Kanika’s parents have questioned the report which quotes incorrect details. In an interaction with media persons, Kanika's family reportedly claimed that the report which declared Kanika as positive for Covid-19 mentioned her age as 28 instead of 41 and her gender as male.

Once in isolation, Kanika sparked controversy about the treatment she received at the SGPGIMS. In an interaction with Bombay Times the singer stated, "I've been here since 11 am and all I've been given is a small bottle of water to drink. I've been asking these people to give me something to eat but I've only been given two small bananas and an orange that had flies on it. I am so hungry, I haven't even taken the medicine that I was supposed to till now. I have fever, I've informed them, but no one has attended to me. The food I brought with me has been taken away. I can't even eat anything that's given to me as I am allergic to some foods. I am hungry, thirsty and I feel miserable here.” She had further added that the room was also dirty. "It has mosquitoes and is full of dust. I am being ill-treated here and it feels like I’m in jail. They are behaving as if I am a criminal for no fault of mine," added Kanika.

Reacting to reports of Kanika being not treated well during quarantine at the Sanjay Gandhi PGIMS, director Dr RK Dhiman had said in an official statement, “Kanika Kapoor has been provided the best that is possible in a hospital. She must co-operate as a patient and not throw tantrums of a star. She is being provided gluten-free diet from the hospital kitchen. She has to co-operate with us to help herself.”

After Kanika spoke about her diagnosis, former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje revealed that she would self-quarantine since she attended the same event as Kanika. “While in Lucknow, I attended a dinner with my son Dushyant & his in-laws. Kanika, who has unfortunately tested positive for #Covid19 was also a guest. As a matter of abundant caution, my son & I have immediately self-quarantined and we’re taking all necessary precautions,” she had shared on Twitter. However, Vasundhara Raje later confirmed that their test results came back negative but they will continue to stay in self isolation as precaution.