Hours after being named in a police case by the family of a contractor who allegedly died by suicide in Udupi yesterday, Karnataka minister KS Eshwarappa said today he would “definitely not resign”. Santhosh Patil, the deceased contractor, had accused him of corruption in WhatsApp messages.
“Santosh Patil wanted payment for his work without norms. I want to ask the Congress, did you, when in power, release payment without a work order,” the minister questioned.
“If they are asking for my resignation, I will definitely not give my resignation.” The Minister also said how a WhatsApp message could be treated as a “death note” and said it could be typed by anybody.
Eshwarappa and his aides are booked for abetment of suicide. In Udupi, the case was registered on the complaint of Patil’s brother Prashanth.
Contractor Santosh Patil had accused Eshwarappa of corruption. On Tuesday, Santosh was found dead in a lodge in Udipi. Santosh’s brother has blamed the minister for his demise.
Prashant Patil said, “Eshwarappa is responsible for my brother’s death. He sought a bribe or commission [from contractor Santhosh Patil]. He then filed a defamation case. Patil had received threats too.”
Before committing suicide, Santosh Patil had sent a WhatsApp message to his friends stating his intention to take his life and blaming Eshwarappa for the extreme step.
According to police, Santosh told his wife he was going on a picnic with his friends. He left Belgaum on April 11. Following this, he went missing.
On Tuesday, his body was found in Udupi. His two friends were in the same building but in another room.
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