Contractor suicide: CM will talk with Karnataka Minister K.S. Eshwarappa regarding police case

Two other assistants to the Minister of Rural Development have also been charged.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said he will meet with Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister K.S. Eshwarappa before deciding if he should resign from the cabinet in connection with the complaint brought against him following the death of contractor Santosh Patil.

Speaking to media in Mangaluru on April 13, Mr. Bommai stated that he will discuss the murder of contractor Santosh Patil and other events that have transpired after the incident with Mr. Eshwarappa. "A one-on-one talk would assist in making a choice," he said, adding that the meeting will be scheduled soon after looking at Mr. Eshwarappa's schedule.

"There are other facets to the event that will be revealed throughout the inquiry, which is being conducted fairly and without influence."

When asked about Congress leaders meeting with Governor Thawarchand Gehlot to request Mr. Eshwarappa's detention, Mr. Bommai responded opposition parties are going to identify flaws in our conduct. The party's upper command is aware of the situation, and he has provided information about it.

Case against Minister

After civil contractor Santosh K Patil (36) from Belagavi was found dead at a lodge in Udupi on April 12, Udupi Town Police have filed an abetment to suicide complaint against Rural Development and Panchayatraj Minister K. S. Eshwarappa.

While Mr. Eshwarappa has been listed as the first accused, Basavaraj and Ramesh, two additional assistants to the Minister, have also been charged under Section 306 read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code. At 2.20 a.m. on April 13, the deceased's elder brother, Prashanth Goudappa Patil, submitted a police report.

Some of the deceased's family members arrived at Udupi late on April 12. The post-mortem will take place on April 13.

According to the complaint, the minister requested a 40% fee for forwarding the 4 crore invoices connected to civil works done within Hindalaga Gram Panchayat authority. The minister, though, has refuted the accusation.

Brother demands arrest of Minister

Prashant and a cousin sought the arrest of Mr. Eshwarappa and his two associates shortly after their arrival in Udupi on April 12 night. "They made fun of my brother. We will not take custody of my brother's remains till they are prosecuted," Mr. Prashant informed reporters.

The Udupi Town police had shut off room 207 of the hostel where Santosh Patil's corpse was discovered on April 12 while waiting for his family members to arrive. On the evening of April 11, Santosh checked into the lodge with his buddies Prashant Shetty and Santosh Medappa.