Bangalore: A police case has been registered against Rural Development Minister KS Eshwarappa in BJP-ruled Karnataka over the suicide of a contractor after the commission asked him to change the bill. Udupi police have registered a case against the minister for inciting suicide. A case has also been registered against Basavaraj and Ramesh, close associates of the minister. The case was registered against the minister and his aides on the complaint of Prashant, brother of the deceased contractor Santosh K Patil.
Contractor Santosh was found dead after WhatsApp sent a message that he was dying because the ministerial commission had asked him to change the bill. Santosh K Patil, a native of Belgaum, had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Rural Development Giriraj Singh alleging that the 40% commission had asked them to change bills worth Rs 4 crore. He is also the National Secretary of Hindu Vahini. Santosh, who was staying at a lodge in Udupi with two friends on Monday night, was found poisoned yesterday.
The Karnataka Contractors’ Federation has already accused the government of awarding contracts for projects only after paying 40% commission. Santosh’s complaint was lodged with the Prime Minister and the Governor but no action was taken. However, Minister Eshwarappa said that he was not involved in the death and that his department had not given him a contract. He said he would not resign.
In his last WhatsApp message, Santosh asked the Prime Minister and former Chief Minister Yeddyurappa to protect his wife and child. Friends in Belagavi who received the message informed the police. The wife testified that she was told at home that she was going on a vacation. The letter written by Santosh against the minister was a big controversy. The Union Minister then sought an explanation. The Congress demanded that Ishwarappa resign and arrest the minister on a criminal charge. Rahul Gandhi had complained to the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister that justice had not been served.
English Summary: Karnataka Minister Named In Police Case Over Contractor’s Suicide