No evidence: Relief for KS Eshwarappa as cops give clean chit in contractor’s death case

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, July 20, 2022: In a relief to Karnataka’s former Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister KS Eshwarappa in Belagavi-based contractor Santosh Patil’s suicide case, the Udupi Town Police gave a clean chit to the BJP leader.

 

The police filed a B-report in connection with the case at the People’s Representatives Court in Bengaluru. B-report means cancellation report i.e. the police have not found any evidence against you to file a chargesheet and seek your trial.

The report mentioned that the probe did not yield any evidence against Eshwarappa in the abetment to suicide case. The police submitted CCTV footage, audio recordings, mobile messages, bank statements, contract details, and statements recorded by them to the court.

The court has not accepted the report yet.

Reacting to the clean chit in the case, Eshwarappa said that it was an answer to the Opposition. "I am very happy to know that the police have filed a B-report in the case. I had promised to goddess Chowdeshwari that I had not done anything wrong. The police report is a befitting reply to the Opposition. I had resigned as a minister, but now, I will take whichever responsibility is given to me by the senior leaders," Eshwarappa said, according to a news report.

Contractor Santosh Patil, who had accused Karnataka minister KS Eshwarappa of corruption, was found dead in a lodge in Udupi city in April. Prima facie, the cause of death was suicide, police said.

Before his death, Patil allegedly sent a WhatsApp message to his friends stating his intention to take his life, and blaming Eshwarappa for the extreme step. The police are verifying the authenticity of the suicide note through forensics.

“Eshwarappa is responsible for my death. He has to be punished. I’ve suppressed all my desires and [am] doing this. I request PM, CM and Yediyurappa to take care of my family,” Patil purportedly wrote in the WhatsApp message.

A few weeks ago, Patil wrote a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which he alleged that Eshwarappa had not cleared outstanding bills due to him. He accused the BJP leader of lies, corruption and irregularities, and urged PM Modi to direct Eshwarappa to settle his bills.

Eshwarappa denied the allegations and retaliated by filing a defamation case against Patil for levelling baseless charges. He had resigned from his post after the Opposition Congress put pressure on the BJP government in the state.

Courtesy: India Today