All You Need To Know About The Death Of Contractor That Has Rocked The Karnataka Government

KS Eshwarappa, a senior minister in the Karnataka government has been booked for 'abetment of suicide after a contractor who had previously levelled corruption allegations against him was found dead.

The contractor, Santhosh Patil was found dead in a lodge in Udupi in a case of suicide on Tuesday.

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He had sent messages on Whatsapp holding Minister Eshwarappa directly responsible for his death.

Minister booked for abetment

Based on an FIR registered by the deceased's brother Prashanth Patil, Eshwarappa and his staff members Ramesh and Basavaraj have been booked for abetment of suicide.

Eshwarappa who holds the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj portfolios in the Karnataka government had allegedly withheld the payment to Patil for a government contract for road construction demanding a bribe.

Patil, who was also a BJP member was awarded the contract for the construction of roads and drains in Hindalaga village in Belagavi in 2020-21, for an estimated amount of Rs 4 crores.

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However, even after the construction was completed Patil was not paid and Ramesh and Basavaraj had allegedly sought 40 % of the amount as commission, at the behest of the minister.

Won't accept the body until arrest

Family members said that Santhosh had visited minister Eshwarappa several times and had pleaded with him to release the amount, but to no avail.

Patil had written to the Union Rural Development Minister alleging that Eshwarappa is demanding his cut for release of the amount.

Patil had reportedly gone to Udupi to try to meet Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, failing which he took the extreme step.

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On Wednesday, the family of Patil refused to accept his body, until the minister and his aides are arrested.

"Minister KS Eshwarappa, Basawaraj and Ramesh must be arrested. We want justice," Prashant Patil said, adding that "We will not take the body of my brother till the arrests are made by the police."

Eshwarappa won't step down

Amid growing calls for his arrest and resignation from the cabinet, Eshwarappa has refused to step down.

"The question of my resignation does not arise at all. I will not bow to the opposition demand for my resignation," Eshwarappa said on Wednesday.

BCCL

Reiterating that he did not know Patil, the Minister even said he was not "even related" to the BJP.

"Today only I spoke to the Belagavi district rural president. He told me he (Santosh Patil) has no relation with the BJP. Some people are creating relationship. For whom are they creating this connection? This is the conspiracy. It should be probed," Eshwarappa said.

"The conspiracy behind the death should be probed. Did he die on his own or for some other reason must be investigated," Eshwarappa said.

This is the latest controversy that has rocked the Basavaraj Bommai government which assumed office in July 2021, after then Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa was forced to step down.

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