K'taka contractor's death: Cong demands Eshwarappa's arrest, FIR to be registered on graft charges

Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar said that resignation is not a solution and that a case of corruption has to be registered against state minister KS Eshwarappa and he should be arrested in connection with the death case of contractor Santosh Patil. Eshwarappa had announced his resignation on Thursday, following the row over his alleged role in the suicide of the contractor.

Bengaluru: Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar on Thursday said that resignation is not a solution and that a case of corruption has to be registered against state minister KS Eshwarappa and he should be arrested in connection with the death case of contractor Santosh Patil. "Resignation is not a solution. A case of corruption has to be registered, then he has to be arrested," said Shivakumar. The Congress leader questioned why FIR was not registered for asking for a 40 per cent commission from the contractor.

"His mother, wife, brother, everyone has alleged that he was tortured and was asked for a 40 per cent commission; where's the FIR on that?... our agitation is not on behalf of DK Shivakumar or Congress, it is the voice of Karnataka," he added. The Congress state chief had also announced that the party would protest against the government in front of the Chief Minister's residence and in all districts. Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah demanded the arrest of the Minister.

Read:Contractor suicide row: Karnataka Minister Eshwarappa announces resignation

Meanwhile, Eshwarappa announced his resignation yesterday, following the row over his alleged role in the suicide of the contractor. He said that he will hand over his resignation to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai today. Eshwarappa said that he does not want to embarrass anybody including the high command leaders of the party.

Earlier, the brother of the deceased contractor Santosh Patil on Wednesday demanded the arrest of Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa and his close aides Ramesh and Basawaraj. A Congress delegation led by state party chief DK Shivakumar, and former chief minister Siddaramaiah also met the Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, demanding the expulsion of Eshwarappa from the state cabinet as well as his arrest over contractor Santosh Patil's death.

Read:CM Bommai questions moral right of Congress to protest as police foil Congress protest plans

with Agency inputs