Contractor's death: File case against Eshwarappa under Prevention of Corruption Act, demands Cong
Bengaluru, Apr 15: Accusing the Karnataka government and Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai of trying to protect Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister K S Eshwarappa, the opposition Congress on Friday demanded his arrest and that he should be booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The opposition party also urged that an impartial investigation be conducted by the police under the supervision of a sitting judge of the Karnataka High Court.
Eshwarappa, against whom police have booked a case for allegedly abetting the suicide of contractor Santosh K Patil, will be submitting his resignation to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai later on Friday evening, as a political furore erupted over the issue.
The Congress that has found a fresh ammunition against the ruling party ahead of the assembly election next year, has formed nine teams, and each team will be travelling to at least two to three districts, to inform people regarding "40 per cent commission and rampant corruption" under the current BJP government.
The party that staged an overnight protest at Vidhana Soudha said it later plans to take its protests to assembly constituency level, to bring to the notice of the people that "Karnataka has been turned into the capital of corruption" by the BJP.
The Congress also plans to hold a protest rally at Hospet in Vijayanagara district, where the ruling BJP state executive committee meeting is slated to be held to be held under the leadership of its national President J P Nadda.
"There is a categorical allegation in the complaint, Santosh Patil has also said it before the media. Despite this, an FIR has not been registered under Prevention of Corruption Act purposely...cases have been registered only for abetment," Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah said.
Speaking to reporters here, former chief minister Siddaramaiah said there is deliberately a clear omission on the part of the state government and the police.
"We demand that the case be registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act...he (Eshwarappa) has to be immediately arrested as the allegation is of a heinous crime...," he said.
Compensation worth Rs 1 crore should be given to the family of the deceased Santosh Patil and government job to his family, and pending bill of Rs 4 crore should be cleared.
Alleging that attempts are on to somehow shut the case aimed at protecting Eshwarappa, Siddaramaiah said with Chief Minister Bommai himself giving a certificate of innocence to him, there cannot be an impartial investigation.
He demanded that a probe should be conducted by the police under the supervision of a sitting judge of the High Court. "Eshwarappa is not a common man, it should be seen that evidence is not destroyed by him and his associates...we are not doing this for politics, but to make Karnataka free from corruption."
KPCC President D K Shivakumar also questioned as to why a case has not been registered against Eshwarappa in the FIR, under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
He alleged that the Chief Minister himself has become a "judge and investigation officer", by giving a "certificate" to Eshwarappa, stating that he will come out clean, even before the investigation is completed.
"Karnataka has become a capital of corruption. Neither the Prime Minister, nor Nadda or anyone is speaking about it," he said, demanding a probe by a sitting judge of the Karnataka High Court.
Santosh Patil, a Belagavi-based contractor, was found dead at a hotel in Udupi on Tuesday, weeks after accusing Eshwarappa, who is also a senior BJP leader, of corruption.
In a purported suicide note in the form of a WhatsApp message, Patil had blamed Eshwarappa for his death.
Patil last month complained to Union Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh and also BJP central leaders stating that he was yet to be paid Rs 4 crore for road works undertaken in Hindalga village and had accused Eshwarappa's aides of demanding 40 per cent commission for the release of the payment.
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Hockey India announces U18 men's, women's squad for Australia series
Bhopal (PTI): Hockey India on Thursday announced the 24-member Indian U-18 Men's and Women's squads for the upcoming home series against Australia from May 15 to 20.
The four-match series, to be played at SAI Bhopal, is a critical part of the teams' preparations for the Men's and Women's U-18 Asia Cup to be held at Kakamigahara, Japan, from May 29-June 6.
The squad members were selected after a week of rigorous evaluation during the national coaching camp, where the initial group of 42 players was narrowed down based on match fitness and tactical adaptability.
Forward Ketan Kushwaha has been named captain of the Indian U-18 men’s team, while the Indian U-18 women’s side will be led by Sweety Kujur.
"After a productive week in the camp, we have identified the 24 players whom we believe are ready for international exposure. These matches against Australia are not just practice games as they are a vital test of our match temperament and tactical discipline.
“Ketan is a natural leader, and I am keen to see how this group handles the pace and pressure of the Australian style before we head to the U-18 Asia Cup in Japan," said Sardar Singh, coach of men’s side.
“We have pruned the squad to 24 players who have shown the greatest consistency and growth during the camp. Sweety has the experience and vision required to lead this young side effectively.
“Playing four matches against a top-tier side like Australia in Bhopal will give us a clear picture of our strengths and the areas that need adjustment. This series is the ultimate dress rehearsal for the girls before the Asia Cup,” said Rani Rampal, women team’s head coach.
U-18 Men’s Squad
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Goalkeepers: Sawan Kumar, Ayush Rajak, Vishal Bada; Defenders: Ansh Bahutra, Ashish Tani Purti, Arman Soreng, Deepakprakash Toppo, Karan Gautam, Karan Dhanuk; Midfielders: Premchand Soy, Rahul Yadav, Varinder Singh, Romit Pal, Arjandeep Singh, Gursimranpreet Singh, Arshdip Singh, Avi Manikpuri; Forwards: Akash Deep, Ketan Kushwaha (Captain), Shahrukh Ali, Gazee Khan, Prahalad Rajbhar, Siddharth Ben, Jaysan Kandulna
U-18 Women’s Squad
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Goalkeepers: Mahak Parihar, Harry, Khili Kumari; Defenders: Sugan Sanga, Nilam Topno, Rubina Baxla, Kiran Ekka, Divya Yadav, Sulochani; Midfielders: Shruti Kumari, Diya, Harshita, Rashmeen Kaur, Laminganbi Akoijam, Nancy Saroha, Tongbram Lanchenbi Devi, Sneha Davde; Forwards: Nousheen Naz, Sweety Kujur (Captain), Priyanka Minz, Sandeepa Kumari, Nammi Geetashree, Princess Priya Ekka, Pushpa Manjhi.
