BENGALURU: Congress legislature party leader Siddaramaiah on Tuesday urged the police to arrest BJP MLA and former minister Aravind Limbavali and other five persons named in the death note of businessman Pradeep S, who died by alleged suicide on Sunday.
AICC general secretary Randeep Surjewala termed the incident as murder even as he blamed the government’s corruption for such deaths in the state.
Siddaramaiah accompanied Surjewala and KPCC working president Ramalinga Reddy visited Pradeep’s residence in Kaggalipura on the outskirts of Bengaluru and consoled his wife Namitha and family members.
"The MLA, who has been named in the death note along with five others, should be immediately arrested. An FIR has already been registered against the accused and evidence is likely to be destroyed if they are not arrested as the case is linked to an influential MLA," said Siddaramaiah.
He said Namitha told him her husband had invested Rs 1.5 crore on a partnership venture and he did not get a rupee in return. "She is seeking justice for Pradeep and family. Limbavali had mediated to settle the deal, which was in favour of Pradeep. Now the police should ensure the money is returned to his family," he added.
Recalling the suicide case of civil contractor Santosh Patil, who had named KS Eswrappa in his death note, Siddaramaiah said the investigators gave clean chit to the minister and warned against Pradeep case following the same track.
Surjewala said: "Pradeep, Santosh Patil and Prasad (PWD contractor TN Prasad who died by suicide on Saturday) are not just names. These are the deaths caused by the government’s corruption. The 40% bribe menace is taking lives. Pradeep’s death is not by suicide, but it is murder."
He recalled that Pradeep was a BJP functionary like Santosh Patil and money transaction involving party seniors is the common factor in both the cases.
