Contractor’s death: BJP sticks to demand for CBI probe and Priyank’s resignation

Opposition BJP demands CBI probe and resignation of Minister Priyank Kharge over contractor's suicide, forming two committees for further action.

Escalating its attack over a contractor ending his life by accusing the close aide of RDPR Minister Priyank Kharge of harassing him, the Opposition BJP’s fact-finding team, led by State president B.Y. Vijayendra, not only visited the family of the deceased but also stuck to its demand for a CBI probe and resignation of the Minister.

Holding Mr. Priyank Kharge responsible for the suicide of Bidar-based contractor Sachin Panchal, Mr. Vijayendra termed his death as not suicide but a systematically executed State-sponsored murder. He also demanded an ex gratia payment of ₹1 crore and a government job to the family of Sachin.

“Resignation of Priyank Kharge is a prerequisite for a fair investigation in the case. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should sack Mr. Priyank Kharge from the ministry to ensure a free and fair investigation. The case should be handed over to the CBI. We don’t accept an investigation by any agency other than the CBI. The State investigating agencies, at the behest of Mr. Priyank Kharge, are likely to threaten the family of the deceased,” Mr. Vijayendra said after meeting Sachin’s family members at Katti Tugaon village in Bhalki taluk of Bidar district on Sunday.

His visit came a few hours after Minister Eshwar Khandre met the family and announced an ex gratia payment of ₹10 lakh to the kin of Sachin and an impartial and transparent investigation into the case to bring the culprits to justice.

Just as Mr. Vijayendra and his team entered the house, the grief-stricken family members turned inconsolable. The team paid a floral tribute to Sachin and tried to console the family. When Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, who accompanied Mr. Vijayendra, offered cash relief to the family in a sealed cover, Sachin’s sisters humbly refused to accept it by saying that they wanted justice, not money. They were persistent in their refusal even after Mr. Vijayendra repeatedly requested with folded hands to accept it.

“We don’t want money. We want justice. We want the culprits responsible to my brother’s death to be punished,” they said.

Speaking to media representatives after the visit, Mr. Vijayendra referred to the alleged threat to Sachin’s family members and demanded the that the government provide security to them.