AAP stage protest demanding Eshwarappa's arrest

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) protested on Wednesday marching from Shivananda circle to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai's residence demanding the arrest of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister K.S. Eshwarappa.

Accusing Eshwarappa of contractor Santosh's death, AAP Bengaluru team had filed a complaint against Eshwarappa on Tuesday under Indian Penal Code - 306; abetment to suicide, in High Grounds Police Station.

While the AAP volunteers were marching towards Chief Minister’s residence police detained them midway and took them to High Grounds Police Station.

Alleging Eshwarappa's direct responsibility in contractor Santosh's death, AAP Bengaluru president Mohan Dasari said that if Santosh Patil should get justice, then minister Eshwarappa must be arrested immediately. "Santosh's death is not a suicide but a systematic murder by Bommai and Eshwarappa. Even after writing a letter that he will attempt suicide if he is not paid the contract amount, he has been ignored. Now, he's dead. The death note clearly states that the cause of suicide is Eshwarappa yet he is not been arrested or suspended," he said.

He further said that Eshwarappa is an influential minister in the state cabinet, if not arrested immediately, there is a clear possibility of him destroying the evidence. "Instead of arresting the accused Eshwarappa, the act of police arresting AAP volunteers is condemnable. We will continue fighting till Eshwarappa gets arrested,” he said.

Media Convener of AAP Karnataka, Jagadish Sadam said that there have been distinct laws for ministers and common people in our state. "The BJP government is protecting Eshwarappa in this case. For the sake of their greed and corruption, common people are made to suffer. This is the worst government that we could see," he said.