Former Karnataka minister and BJP MLA Arvind Limbavali is among the six people named in the FIR in connection with the death of a businessman, police said on Monday.
Pradeep (47) was found dead in his car at Netigere here on Sunday evening, they said, adding that he had allegedly shot himself in the head.
According to the police, he had allegedly left an eight-page death note, which named Mahadevapura MLA Arvind Limbavali and five others.
Limbavali is accused number 3 in the FIR, which also names – Gopi K, Somaiya, Ramesh Reddy ji, Jairam Reddy and Raghav Bhat.
A case has been registered at Kagalipura police station.
The FIR is based on the complaint of Pradeep’s wife along with the death note.
Responding to a question on the case registered against Limbavali, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said: “Action is being taken as per law…action will be taken as per law in future also.” On his social media account, Limbavali, on his part, said that he had only tried to help the businessman, and was ready for any probe. “In fact, I demand an inquiry to bring out the truth.” The MLA said he did not know what was the motive behind his name being mentioned in the death note and ruled out any conspiracy against him.
Talking to reporters in Hubballi, Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar alleged that the government would soon file a ‘B report’ and close the matter.
“He did the same for the cases of people who were ministers earlier. Now they will do the same in the case of Limbavali. I know,” he said, taking a dig at the ruling BJP.
According to the police, in the death note, six accused who did injustice to Pradeep have been pointed out, who have demanded justice and action against the named people.
Police said Pradeep had invested around Rs 1.5 crore in an upcoming resort project involving Gopi, Somaiya and others near a prominent suburban HSR Layout and promised a share in it, but was later allegedly cheated. was given.
Limbavali is said to have tried to broker a settlement between them and an agreement was reached a month back to clear Pradeep his dues, but Pradeep did not get the full amount.
Police said Pradeep had gone to a resort in Netigere with his family on Saturday night to celebrate the New Year.
He is said to have left the resort on Sunday morning saying he needed to go to Sira, but instead went home, wrote the death note and returned to the resort, they said, adding that in the evening he killed himself in the car. Took a shot
Noting that in June/July of 2022, Pradeep came to his office and shared his problem, Limbavali said: “Based on the information and phone numbers they shared, I immediately followed up with them (Gopi, Somaiya and others) Checked and asked them to settle. He asked for time citing Covid and after 15 days the problem was not resolved Pradeep again came to me and I asked him to solve the issues immediately as he was in financial crisis. Limbavali told reporters, “The issue… Later in a program, on my asking, Pradeep said that his issue has been resolved and thanked me.” Or meetings are usually held.
The MLA said that Pradeep again called on his mobile in August regarding some family dispute and said that his wife had registered a case against him at Bellandur police station.
“Since it is a family dispute, I do not want to go into details… I had called up the police station and told them to try and resolve the issue amicably and help both the parties reach a settlement by involving , if the wife agrees, and accordingly they had reached an agreement,” he said.
Highlighting that dealing with such matters is normal for all legislators on a daily basis, Limbavali said it was unfortunate that the issue had escalated to such an extent.
Pradeep himself has said in the death note that after my intervention, the parties had agreed to pay him about Rs 90 lakh. He has mentioned my name for enquiry. I have done pro-people work,” said the MLA.
“…It does not mean that I will stop helping people in times of need, I will keep doing my bit to help people. We have to face certain things in public life,” Limbavali added, as he clarified that he did not mediate but asked the parties involved to reach a settlement.
read all latest politics news here
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)