Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa Named In Police Case Over Contractor's Suicide

In the FIR filed based on the complaint of Santosh Patil's brother Prasant, the police have also named the two associates of Eshwarappa, Basavaraj and Ramesh.

RDPR Minister K S Eshwarappa (File photo: ANI)

Chennai: Karnataka police on Wednesday named Minister KS Eshwarappa in a case pertaining to the suicide of a contractor, who was found dead in a lodge in Udupi on Tuesday.

According to a report on ABP News, the FIR said, the Minister was instrumental in driving the contractor Santosh Patil to suicide. 

In the FIR filed based on the complaint of Santosh Patil's brother Prasant, the police have also named the two associates of Eshwarappa, Basavaraj and Ramesh.

On Tuesday, Patil killed himself after accusing Minister Eshwarappa's associates of demanding 40 per cent commission on a Rs 4 crore road laying work carried by Rural Development and Panchayat Raj department. 

Patil also left behind a suicide note. In the note recovered from the lodge, he alleged that Eshwarappa was responsible for his death.

Further, the suicide note said, "RDPR Minister KS Eshwarappa is responsible for my death and I'm taking the extreme decision keeping aside my aspirations." 

He also requested Prime Minister, Chief Minister, beloved lingayat leader BSY and everyone else to help his wife and kids. 

Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai said, "Yes FIR registered (against KS Eswarappa over the death of contractor Santosh Patil). Have gathered all info. I will speak with Eshwarappa. I don't know what he (Eshwarappa) said (about resignation). It will be cleared when we speak directly."

Meanwhile, Eshwarappa said that he does not know Patil at all. Responding to Congress party seeking his resignation, Eshwarappa said that he won't resign over Patil's death.