He allegedly sent a message blaming KS Eshwarappa for his death
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activist and contractor Santhosh Patil who previously accused Karnataka Rural Development & Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Minister KS Eshwarappa of corruption was found dead on April 12, 2022 in Udupi, Karnataka.
While the police officials are investigating into the matter, Patil had allegedly sent a message to his friends on Whatsapp holding KS Eshwarappa directly responsible for his death and demanded that he be punished.
“The reason for my death is KS Eshwarappa. He has to be punished. I have suppressed all my desires and I am doing this. I request PM, CM and Yediyurappa to take care of my family,” he wrote in the message.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that the police will probe matter independently without any interference. As reported by ANI, he said, “Action will be taken based on primary report of incident. Truth will definitely come out.”
Leader of opposition Siddaramaiah asked Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to immediately arrest Eshwarappa and dismiss him from his cabinet. He said, “The government should register a case against Eshwarappa under section 302 . . . this is a serious offense punishable under with life imprisonment of death penalty.”
Few weeks ago Patil accused Eshwarappa of corruption. He claimed that Eshwarappa did not released payments for his 2019 projects.
He wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that Eshwarappa and his associates were harassing him for commissions.
Patil claimed that he and six other contractors invested Rs 4 crore for road projects in Hindalga gram panchayat in Belagavi in May 2021, but were not paid for the same. Eshwarappa denied these claims and filed a defamation case against him.
Revenue minister R Ashoka said that there is no need to blame KS Eshwarappa before the investigation concludes. As per ANI report, he said, “Only police can tell what happened in the matter. Court, police and investigating agencies will finalize the matter after probe.”
