Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Apr 13: An FIR has been filed against Rural Development & Panchayat Raj (RDPR) minister K S Eshwarappa in Udupi in connection to the Santhosh K Patil death case. Eshwarappa has been named as the first accused in the case.
Prashanth Patil, brother of Santhosh Patil had visited the spot on Tuesday late night. After visiting the hotel room, he filed a complaint and named minister Eshwarappa, Ramesh and Basavaraj, PA to the minister as accused.
"Santhosh Patil had undertaken works worth Rs 4 crore in Hindalaga village. Santhosh had invested his money for the project. But the bill for this work was pending. He had visited minister Eshwarappa several times and had pleaded him to release the amount. But his close aid Basavaraj and Ramesh were demanding 40% commission. Santhosh had informed about this to his wife Jaya and me. After all these developments, Santhosh was found dead in a suspicious way in Shambhavi hotel room," he stated in the complaint.
Santhosh K Patil (left) and K S Eshwarappa
The family members of deceased Patil and FSL team arrived to the spot of incident. The FSL team entered the hotel room in the presence of the family members. Canine squad and finger print experts are also in spot. For about next two hours, procedures will be conducted inside the room.
Earlier in the night, Santhosh family members arrived at the spot of the incident. The family members declared that they will not accept the body until those named in the death note are arrested.
Speaking to media in Udupi after visiting the lodge relatives of Santhosh Patil said their brother should get justice. “Basavaraj and Ramesh, personal assistants of minister Eshwarappa should be arrested immediately. They have tortured him. He had visited Eshwarappa around 80 to 90 times. He had mentioned this in the press meet as well. Yet the government did not take any action. And today this incident has taken place. We will not accept the body until they are arrested. We had gone to Belgaum camp police station to file a complaint. But they have not received our complaint. An FIR should be filed and the action should be taken immediately. Eshwarappa is not a minister. He is an accused now. All the accused including minister should be arrested,” they said.
It may be recalled, Patil, a contractor and BJP leader from Belagavi district of Karnataka alleged that minister Eshwarappa had demanded 40 per cent commission for his work through his aide. Patil ended his life after consuming poison at a lodge in Udupi, it is said.
Patil had reportedly written letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, union home minister Amit Shah and Union Minister for Panchayat Raj Giriraj Singh accusing Eshwarappa of demanding 40 per cent cut from him.
Western Range IGP Devajyoti Ray visits spot of crime
IGP Devajyothi Rai visited Shambhavi Lodge on Wednesday April 13 morning again.
Speaking to media, he said, “An FIR has been lodged now. No investigations were conducted yesterday. Today, we will probe their close relatives. It appears that this is a case of suicide and unnatural death. The family is in a state of shock. The investigation will take some time for completion. KMC and FSL experts have already arrived. Digital and physical evidences have been collected.
"Initially, a case of unnatural death has been registered. Complete information will be available after inquest. At present, we are conducting an inquiry We will take steps accordingly,” he said.