Contractor’s death case: BJP claims Santosh was with Cong; had forged Rahul Gandhi’s signature

Bengaluru: A day after FIR was filed against KS Eshwarappa, the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister of Karnataka in civil contractor Santosh Patil’s death case, the BJP unit alleged that the deceased was originally a Congress worker.

In a series of tweets, the state BJP unit alleged that the 40% commission scam was a ‘toolkit’ developed by Congress.

The party said in a tweet, “Why was the person who was brave enough to meet and file a complaint with central leaders, ministers and officials soft enough to commit suicide? The #40PercentCONgressToolkit is behind it. Are Congress leaders exploiting innocents to create anarchy?”.

“Santhosh had forged the signature of Rahul Gandhi and a case was filed against him in this regard. The 40% commission issue was created by Congress. Santhosh Patil also has mentioned the same in his death note,” the BJP team added.

Santhosh, a Belagavi-based contractor was found dead in a hotel room in Udupi on Tuesday. He had allegedly killed himself after writing a suicide note blaming Minister K S Eshwarappa for his death.

Patil had reportedly written letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, union home minister Amit Shah and Union Minister for Panchayat Raj Giriraj Singh accusing Eshwarappa of demanding 40 per cent cut from him.

The suicide has caused a political uproar in the state as Santhosh had alleged Eshwarappa of taking “40 percent commissions” in the government contracts.

Following the incident Congress leaders and workers demanded the resignation of the minister.

Meanhwile, Eshwarappa called a press meet and refused to step down from his post. He alleged that there was a “conspiracy” behind Santhosh’s death.

Eshwarappa said that the police had found only a WhatsApp message and there was no death note recovered at the scene. “Santhosh hasn’t written a death note. The message was typed on a WhatsApp message. There’s no handwriting, no signature,” he said. He also accused Congress of demanding his resignation without basis.

“Work order has to be issued, approvals have to be taken before carrying out any government work. How can anyone pay for works done without following any procedures?” he asked.

The minister said that he had filed a defamation case against Santhosh and a private TV channel. “Court had served notice to them in this regard,” he said. Further, he added that Santhosh may have taken his life fearing repercussions of the court case, though it was still early to know the exact cause.

On the other hand, Prashanth Patil, brother of contractor Santhosh Patil, said that the family will not accept his mortal remains until the accused in the case are arrested.

However following an assurance from police officials that action will be taken against the accused the family agreed to conduct his last rites.