Contractor suicide case: Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa to step down today; Congress, AAP say he must be arrested

Karnataka minister Eshwarappa has been booked for 'abetment to suicide' in connection with the suicide of the Belagavi-based civil contractor, Santhosh Patil at a lodge on Tuesday.

Bengaluru: Hours after Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa announced to tender his resignation, the top opposition parties in the state  - Congress and AAP – said that his resignation is not sufficient, and the BJP leader must be arrested immediately in connection with the suicide case of a civil contractor who held the minister directly responsible for his death.

The move came after the police had filed an abetment to suicide case against Eshwarappa, the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, after Belagavi-based civil contractor, Santhosh Patil, was found dead at a lodge on Tuesday. 

Patil, who had blamed Eshwarappa squarely for his death, had earlier accused the senior minister of demanding a 40 per cent cut for clearing bills for various works that he had taken up.

"I have worked as the RDPR minister till date under CM (Basavraj) Bommai`s leadership in the government. I have taken the decision to tender my resignation on Friday evening. I don`t want to cause embarrassment to my party and party leadership," Eshwarappa said on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters, state Congress President D K Shivakumar said that Eshwarappa will not keep his words. "Our struggle won`t stop with his resignation. The FIR speaks many facts relating to corruption. He must be booked under Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and he must be arrested immediately," Shivakumar said.

Opposition leader Siddaramaiah demanded that it is a `heinous crime` and a non-bailable offence. "In all heinous crimes, the accused persons are arrested immediately. But Eshwarappa has not been arrested yet. All are equal before the law," Siddaramaiah said.

"By deciding to submit his resignation, Eshwarappa has realised his mistakes. First, he claimed he did not know Santhosh at all. Did he lodge a defamation case against him without knowing Santhosh at all," Siddaramaiah asked.

Congress General Secretary and in-charge for Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, tweeted: "Minister Eshwarappa`s belated resignation is too little, too late. Eshwarappa has to be arrested. Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act must be added to the FIR. High Court-monitored SIT must investigate & file challan. Independent probe of 40% Commission Bommai Govt!"

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that Eshwarappa has tendered his resignation on his own. He also denied any direction from the BJP high command in this regard.

"Eshwarappa spoke to me this evening. He told me that he is innocent and did not do anything. He also expressed confidence that he would come out clean in the investigation. He said he will meet me tomorrow (Friday) and also stated that he will not stay in his post as it might embarrass the party," Bommai said.