The Udupi police have booked Karnataka minister K S Eshwarappa after a contractor involved in government projects was found dead in a hotel in the town Tuesday, said officials Wednesday. According to the police, the minister was booked under Section 306 (abetment to suicide) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Two of the minister’s aides have also been mentioned in the First Information Report (FIR). 🗞️ Subscribe Now: Get Express Premium to access the best Election reporting and analysis 🗞️ Santosh Patil, 40, who was also a BJP member, was found dead at Shambhavi Hotel in Udupi on Tuesday morning and is suspected to have died by suicide, the police said. Patil had raised allegations against rural development minister Eshwarappa, saying that the BJP leader had been harassing him for commissions to clear the bills for contracts he had implemented for the government over a year ago. Patil had also said that Eshwarappa should be held responsible if something happened to him. The Congress party in Karnataka has demanded the dismissal of Eshwarappa from the government headed by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai. They have sought an abetment of suicide case against Eshwarappa and his associates and a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act. They have also sought the arrest of Eshwarappa. Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar and Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah demanded action against the BJP leader involved - rural development minister K S Eshwarappa - asking Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to sack him. "We have appealed to the Governor to dismiss KS Eshwarappa, get him arrested.Secondly, a corruption case should be registered against him given that he would seek 40% commission from his own people, including contractor Santosh Patil, ANI quoted Shivakumar as saying. We have appealed to the Governor to dismiss KS Eshwarappa, get him arrested.Secondly, a corruption case should be regd against him given that he would seek 40% commission from his own people, including contractor Santosh Patil(who later died by suicide): DK Shivakumar, Congress pic.twitter.com/msXxYbvJpH — ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2022 Confirming the FIR, 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." 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.: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai pic.twitter.com/RLQegvueri — ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2022
