Brazil’s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro is embroiled in yet another controversy related to the COVID-19 pandemic, this time involving Indian drugmaker Bharat Biotech and its vaccine — Covaxin. Prosecutors in the Latin American nation opened a probe Friday into allegations that the President sat on evidence of corruption in the $324 million COVID vaccine deal with Bharat Biotech. Last week, the country suspended the multi-million dollar deal over graft allegations.

Also read: No wrongdoing, says Bharat Biotech amid row over Brazil Covaxin deal

What do we know about the Brazil-Covaxin deal/controversy?

Brazil signed a $324 million deal with Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech for 20 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the deal ran into trouble after a Brazilian health ministry official said that there was pressure to sign the deal with the Indian company at an inflated price.

Scrutiny sharpened after it came to light that the US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer had offered a cheaper deal.

The health ministry official, and his Congressman brother who is close to Bolsonaro, said they took the matter regarding the deal with Bharat Biotech to the president, reported news agency AFP. But, he took no action.

Also read: Brazilian senators sue President Jair Bolsonaro for malfeasance

Bolsonaro’s other troubles regarding the COVID pandemic

The probe into the vaccine deal comes at a time when the far-right President is already facing flak over his comments and mismanagement of the pandemic.

Bolsonaro, who himself contracted the novel coronavirus, had called it a “little flu”. He opposed lockdowns, questioned face masks and pushed unproven cures, such as hydroxychloroquine.

Also read: A look at Jair Bolsonaro’s controversial attempts to downplay COVID, so far

523,587 Brazilians have died of the disease — the second-highest death toll, after the US. The country has recorded 18,742,025 cases — the third-highest in the world, after the US and India.