In a stunning improvement, contractor Santhosh Ok Patil, who had accused senior BJP minister Ok S Eeshwarappa of taking 40% fee, has now been discovered lifeless in a lodge in Udupi on Tuesday. He allegedly penned a dying observe through which he said that Eeshwarappa was ‘instantly accountable’ for his demise.

In keeping with police's preliminary investigations into the dying, the sooner rumoured lacking Belagavi-based contractor, who was additionally a BJP chief, has been discovered hanging from the ceiling in Shambhavi lodge in Udupi. Patil had reportedly despatched out the “dying observe” to his associates through WhatsApp.

Police have reportedly stated that Patil, who is claimed to have spent over Rs. 15 lakh on bribes alone until now, stated in his dying observe that, “I'm going on a journey of no return. Panchayat Raj Minister Ok S Eshwarappa is instantly chargeable for my dying, and he needs to be punished. I've taken this resolution after suppressing all my desires and wishes. I've introduced some associates with me, after mendacity to them that we're occurring a picnic. However they don't seem to be chargeable for my dying. I thank all my associates, I additionally thank the journalists for highlighting my issues.’’

In keeping with studies, Patil requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa to offer protection to his spouse and baby after his demise. “I request Mr. Yediyurappa, a senior chief of the Lingayat neighborhood, and anybody who may help my household, to assist them out,’’ he wrote.

Reacting to the incident, Eshwarappa stated he had no details about the suicide. "I've no data. I had filed a case (defamation go well with) in opposition to him for levelling the costs and the case was admitted. I'm studying concerning the suicide from you (media)," Eshwarappa stated. 

To a question that Patil had blamed him for his dying, the Minister stated, "He might have written it however I've no details about it. I've no clue why he wrote my title within the dying observe and why he accused me. Solely he can reply however he's no extra."

Former CM Siddaramaiah referred to as it the ‘results of fee politics’. 

After a number of officers visited his residence in Hindalaga village on the night of April 11, Patil's spouse informed reporters that she was informed Patil was occurring a picnic with two of his associates. He was purported to be lacking quickly after. His spouse additionally informed reporters that she didn't pondering something of it because it as a normal incidence.

The accusations levelled in opposition to Panchayat Raj Minister Ok S Eshwarappa by Patil was by way of a letter that stated the BJP authorities in Karnataka calls for 40% fee or bribe from contractors for each challenge.

In keeping with the most recent allegations, Patil had claimed that Eshwarappa charged him 40% fee for a piece order. “I didn't watch for a piece order as a result of Eshwarappa stated he's the Minister and the ultimate authority on this. So, I began the challenge. After that, the Mannequin Code of Conduct got here into impact due to by-elections within the district because of which, they stated, they couldn’t give me the work order then. However Eshwarappa informed me to not fear and proceed with the work,” Patil had beforehand informed The NewsMinute.

Patil had additionally accused officers within the Rural Growth and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) of corruption as properly.

The now-deceased contractor had stated in late March that he has been receiving risk calls after he despatched a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, detailing the corruption practices within the Rural Growth and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Ministry of Karnataka.

Patil, who was additionally a Hindu Vahini employee, based by Yogi Adityanath, had warned that if his pending payments are usually not paid, he can be pushed to take his personal life, The Hindu reported.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has stated that an neutral probe can be carried out into the dying of the contractor.

(With PTI inputs)