Karnataka contractor association president Kempanna who raised ‘40 per cent commission’ allegations dead

Based on his allegations, the Karnataka Congress government had formed the Justice H N Nagamohan Das Commission to investigate irregularities in various contracts awarded and works carried out between July 2019 and March 2023.

The ‘40 per cent corruption’ charge was first raised by Kempanna in 2021 in a letter by the Association to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Subsequently, the Congress – which was in the opposition then – had latched on to the issue and launched the ‘PayCM’ campaign ahead of Assembly polls in Karnataka in 2023.

In December last year, he had submitted a 6,000-page document to the Nagamohan Das Commission to substantiate the allegations levelled by him. He had later alleged that the ‘Commission culture’ had continued under the Congress regime, resulting in a major embarrassment to the state government.

Kempanna, who was suffering from age-related complications, was discharged from hospital recently after undergoing treatment. He passed away at around 10 am on Thursday.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condoled his demise. In a post on X, he said that he was saddened by the death of Kempanna. “He had brought out the 40% commission scam that had made headlines across the country during the previous government’s tenure, and had taken a stand against corruption in contract works. Today, the country has lost a fearless voice that does not succumb to any pressure or temptation,” he said.