Contractor, who accused Karnataka minister Eshwarappa of bribe, found dead in Udupi

By Shyam Sundar Vattam & Maqsood Maniyar | NT

A Bela g avi-based civil contractor and BJP worker Santosh Patil, who had accused Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Minister K.S.Eshwarappa of demanding 40 per cent commission of the total project value, was found dead in a lodge in Udupi on Tuesday. Patil had been missing since April 11.

Patil apparently had sent a WhatsApp message to his friends in which he claimed that Eshwarappa alone was responsible for his death.

“The sole reason for my death is KS Eshwarappa. He should be taught a strict lesson. I have given up all my dreams and taken this decision. I’m begging that my wife and child should get help from the government, the prime minister, the chief minister and senior Lingayat leader BS Yeddyurappa,”read the message.

A police official on condition of anonymity told News Trail that the cause of death is being ascertained. “However, it appears to be a case of suicide as of now. I couldn’t verify the veracity of the suicide note being passed around,” he said.

Patil, a civil contractor from Hindalga village in Belagavi district, was in news recently when he levelled a 40 per cent commission charge against Eshwarappa. Close on the heels of the allegation, the minister had filed a defamation case against him in court on March 15 and a notice was served on him on March 19.

The Karnataka State Contractors’ Association Other contractors too raised similar allegations against the BJP-ruled state government.

Following Patil’s death, opposition political parties have demanded Eshwarappa’s dismissal from the cabinet.

“Chief Minister should dismiss.Eshwarappa from the council of ministers, book a murder case and arrest him immediately,” demanded Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah.

“The 40 per cent commission allegation against the government is not made by us but by contractors and BJP workers. An FIR must be registered against Eshwarappa and arrest him,” said Congress leader and KPCC president D K Shivakumar.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai however rejected the resignation demand by the Opposition and assured a transparent probe into the incident.