The Congress on Tuesday demanded the immediate arrest of Karnataka's Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister K.S. Eshwarappa. The party made the demand after a contractor who accused Eshwarappa of demanding bribes was found dead in a lodge in Udupi.
Santosh Patil, who had also been associated with the BJP, had accused Eshwarappa of seeking bribes to clear his pending payments. Reports said he allegedly committed suicide. A suicide note of Patil, that was, reportedly, circulated on WhatsApp, held Eshwarappa “directly responsible for his death”. In the note, Patil requested people to back former chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa. The family of Patil told mediapersons they had received death threats.
Santosh Patil had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about his complaints against Eshwarappa. Contractors in Karnataka have accused members of the state BJP government of demanding bribes for clearing payments.
The Hindu reported on Tuesday that Belagavi Police had launched a search for Santosh Patil after he allegedly sent a message to friends on Monday that he decided to end his life. “I am going on a journey of no return. I have taken this decision after suppressing all my wants and desires. I have brought some friends with me, after lying to them that we are going on a picnic. But they are not responsible for my death,” The Hindu quoted Patil as saying.
Following news of his death, state Congress chief D.K. Shivakumar demanded that Eshwarappa be arrested for murder and an FIR be lodged against him. Shivakumar was quoted by ANI as saying “Everyone knows it's a murder. He died over corruption allegations (against Eshwarappa).”
Former chief minister Siddaramaiah lashed out at Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. Siddaramaiah said “Bommai as a CM has failed to take any action against his minister K.S. Eshwarappa who should be dismissed from the cabinet... Eshwarappa is responsible for Patil's death... he must be arrested... Entire state knows Eshwarappa is a corrupt man.”
Patil, who was national secretary of the Hindu Yuva Vahini, had told The Hindu he “had spent up to ₹15 lakh in bribes in the Rural Development Department to get payment for his bills”.
