BJP leader Eshwarappa given clean chit in death of contractor Santhosh Patil

Udupi: Karnataka's Udupi district police have submitted a closure report in the case of contractor Santhosh Patil's suicide, giving a clean chit to former minister KS Eshwarappa.

In April 2022, Santhosh Patil was found dead and in a message to his friends, he blamed Eshwarappa as the "sole reason for his death". Currently, the Udupi police have submitted a 'B' report, stating that there is no evidence could be found that links Eshwarappa to the contractor's suicide.

The BJP-led government are in the midst of allegations of corruption in Karnataka, and the death of Santhosh Patil on April 11 this year led to a huge stir in the state.

KS Eshwarappa, the prime accused in the case, later resigned from the post of Minister of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj. An investigation into the contractor's suicide was launched, but Eshwarappa was never called for questioning.

A 'B' report was submitted to the Special People's Representative Court by the police where they stated that there was no evidence that Eshwarappa or his associates had threatened Santhosh Patil. The People's Representative Court hears cases against MPs and MLAs.

CCTV footage, audio clips, Patil's bank statements, contract details and statements of family members and friends were submitted to the court by the police. 20 mobile phones were also seized by the police belonging to people connected to the investigation regarding Santhosh's death, The News Minute reported.

Eshwarappa, in response to the police report said that he felt vindicated. "The police have filed a 'B' report and said that I have been cleared of all allegations. They have said I had no role to play. I am happy that I have been acquitted of all charges," KS Eshwarappa stated, speaking to reporters in Shivamogga.

Santhosh Patil's wife had written to Thaawarchand Gehlot, the Karnataka Governor demanding a transparent probe into her husband's death, alleging that the police were working under the prime accused in the case, KS Eshwarappa. In the letter, she alleged that the former minister influenced the investigation in his favour and used his political power and money adding that the police were acting on his orders.

Santhosh, prior to his death had said that the Karnataka government had hired him to build 100 roads at a cost of Rs 4 crore. However, even after two years, Santhosh's bills were not cleared as he did not allegedly give Eshwarappa a 40% cut. The minister denied knowing Santhosh and filed a defamation case against him.