In Karnataka, political corruption has escalated, with allegations of interference by Congress MLA Channa Reddy Patil and his son Pampana Gowda in the local police department by putting price tags on postings and transfers. This coincided with the mysterious death of PSI Parasurama on August 2 in Yadagiri, Karnataka. To quell the anger of the family, villagers, and opposition parties, the Congress party appears to have transferred the case to the State CID department. However, this move is seen as a tactic to buy time and deviate from demands for the case to be handed over to the central investigation agency, CBI.
PSI Parasurama, who belonged to the SC community, a resident of Somanala village in Karatagi taluk, was cremated on his family’s land after his body was brought to the village on Saturday evening. Before the cremation, thousands of people paid their last respects at the local government school premises, with senior police officers and district in-charge Minister Shivraj Thangadagi in attendance.
The 34-year-old Parasurama’s untimely death led to suspicions of foul play, particularly in light of his recent transfer from Yadagiri city station to Yadagiri cyber station, as well as allegations of caste discrimination. There are a series of allegations that Congress MLA Channa Reddy Patil is running a “cash for postings” scheme, wherein lucrative positions within the police department are being sold for bribes.
Parasurama’s family has accused Yadagiri MLA Chennareddy Patil Tunnoor and his son, Pampanna Gowda, of being responsible for his death. His wife, Shweta, lodged a formal complaint, citing harassment, incitement, and caste-based abuse as factors leading to his demise.
In response to these serious allegations, a case was promptly registered at Yadgiri Nagar Police Station under BNS section 109 (abetment to suicide) and the Karnataka Prevention of Atrocities on SC/ST Act. The gravity of the situation prompted the state government to transfer the investigation to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which swiftly launched an inquiry. A CID team, led by a Dy SP, arrived in Yadgiri on Sunday to review the case files and gather information from local authorities, including the Yadagiri CPI and Surpur Dy SP.
As the investigation unfolds, disturbing allegations have surfaced against MLA Chennareddy Patil, who is accused of auctioning police station postings within his constituency. It is reported that the MLA demanded bribes of 20-30 lakhs for a one-year posting, creating a competitive environment among PSIs. Those unable to pay were allegedly denied postings, and caste considerations further influenced the decisions. These accusations have sparked significant public debate and outrage.
Following the registration of the case, both MLA Chennareddy Patil and his son are absconding, reportedly switching off their phones and fleeing the district. Their office and residence in Yadagiri are locked, with no signs of activity. The once-bustling MLA office, which typically sees hundreds of visitors daily, is now deserted. Sources indicate that the MLA’s disappearance is driven by fear of imminent arrest, particularly after the case was transferred to the CID.
The death of PSI Parasurama has sent shockwaves through the community, especially as he was a respected figure in Somanala village. The local SC Chalawadi organization has staged protests, demanding swift justice and action against those responsible for his death. The community’s grief was palpable as hundreds of villagers, including those from neighboring areas, gathered to mourn his loss.
With the CID taking over the investigation, there is hope that the truth behind Parasurama’s death will soon be uncovered. The CID team is expected to intensify its efforts, with further inquiries and possible arrests on the horizon. As the investigation progresses, the public remains on edge, awaiting answers and justice for PSI Parasurama and his grieving family.
BJP leader R. Ashoka on Sunday visited the residence of PSI Parasurama in Somanala village, Karatagi taluk, to offer his condolences to the grieving family. During his visit, several of Parasurama’s friends voiced their suspicions about the circumstances surrounding his death.
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Speaking with R. Ashoka, Parasurama’s friends raised concerns about the post-mortem process, alleging that proper procedures were not followed. After meeting with the family, Ashoka addressed the media, expressing his deep concern over the government’s handling of the situation. “I have spoken with Parasurama’s family and gathered information about the case. The way this government is treating the police is disheartening. A young girl from a Dalit family is crying out for justice, and it’s troubling that we still face such issues today,” he said. He also relayed the family’s claims that a local MLA had allegedly stated there should be no Dalits in their area, adding, “We all live under the constitution written by Ambedkar, and no one can tolerate such vile behavior.”
Ashoka criticized the government’s response to Parasurama’s death, noting that while no official report has been released, the Home Minister prematurely declared it a heart attack. “This case should be handed over to the CBI. The fact that the CID was involved so quickly after a 14-hour delay in filing the case raises serious questions. The government seems to be handing all cases to the CID, but has any truth emerged from these investigations?” he questioned.
Addressing broader issues of corruption, Ashoka remarked, “Corruption is rampant in the state. The CM’s name has been linked to corruption cases. We had implemented a two-year policy for police officer transfers, but this was reduced to one year under the current administration. Now, there’s a new law against transfers for two years, so how was Parasurama transferred? Who authorized this? Action must be taken.”
Parasurama’s friend, Yariswamy, also spoke out, revealing that Parasurama had hidden his wife’s gold to settle debts and had taken out a personal loan from the bank. He was trying to gather money to pay off the MLAs, but was unable to meet their demands. “This kind of thing is unfortunately common in the police department. Even on the day of his transfer, Parasurama called me and shared his pain. I have an audio recording of our conversation, which will be released at the appropriate time,” Yariswamy stated.
