Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday dismissed allegations of interference by his government in the probe, accusing the opposition Congress of wanting to be an investigator, prosecutor and judge in the death of civil contractor Santosh Patil.
Following a political uproar over the issue, senior BJP leader KS Eshwarappa, against whom police have registered a case of abetment to suicide, submitted his resignation as the Minister of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) on Friday night.
Bommai said in response to Congress’s question, “Investigation of Santosh Patil’s suicide is being done, postmortem has been done, FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) report will come. Based on this, what happened, it will be known scientifically.” ” Eshwarappa has not been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Talking to reporters here, he recalled that during the tenure of the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in the KJ George (former minister) case, the police did not mention his name in the FIR despite the video charge and death note against him. . Attempts were made to close the case, and the court had to issue an order when the family of deceased police officer MK Ganapathy approached it.
“But, we have registered an FIR as per the complaint (in Santosh Patil case) and investigation is on accordingly…Based on the progress of the investigation, more sections may be added, let the investigation take place,” he said. MK Ganapathy, who was Mangaluru’s deputy superintendent of police, had allegedly killed himself on 7 July 2016 at a lodge in Kodagu. In a video message before the suicide, he had blamed the then Home Minister KJ George and two top IPS officers. For your extreme step.
The Congress wants to be an investigator, prosecutor and judge in the contractor’s suicide case and it cannot happen, Bommai said, adding that people know how the national party closed many cases while in power. “When, which section is to be invoked, what provisions will be in accordance with the law. The government has not interfered in any way. Just because I brought in during the George case, they (Congress) took a jibe at me.” I have been accused of giving certificate (innocence to Eshwarappa), did I give the certificate?” They said.
There is law and investigation will take place according to it, he said, adding that when the chargesheet is filed, the veracity of the investigation will be analyzed in the court. Accusing the state government and Bommai of trying to save Eshwarappa, the Congress on Friday demanded his arrest and registration of a case against him under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The opposition party also urged that a fair investigation be conducted by the police under the supervision of a sitting judge of the Karnataka High Court. Noting that the Congress is holding statewide protests against corruption as if they are very neat, Bommai said, “People know what Congress is, they should first count the number of skeletons of corruption in their cupboards. Let it be… they are trying to establish a narrative, we will put before the people about their corruptions.” When asked whether the Santosh Patil suicide cases will be handed over to the CID or other agency for further investigation, he said, “Let the preliminary investigation be done first, based on the need, we will decide.” Belagavi contractor Santosh Patil was found dead at a hotel in Udupi on Tuesday after Eshwarappa was accused of corruption.
In an purported suicide note in the form of a WhatsApp message, Patil had blamed Eshwarappa for his death. Patil had last month complained to Union Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh and central BJP leaders that he was yet to be paid Rs 4 crore for the road works carried out in Hindalga village and accused Eshwarappa’s aides for releasing the payment. He was accused of demanding 40 per cent commission for Rs. ,
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