Bidar association says Sachin Panchal, who committed suicide, not a contractor

BIDAR, KALABURAGI: In a curious twist to the suicide of young contractor Sachin Panchal, the Bidar unit of the contractors’ association has claimed that he was not a registered contractor. The association has furnished the information to the investigating authorities.

Sachin Panchal’s sisters grieving near his decapitated body on the railway tracks.

According to the association, Sachin Panchal was not a registered contractor in Bidar or any other district in Kalyana Karnataka region. However, this gives rise to questions as to his profession and why he gave huge sums to former corporator Raju Kapanur, said to be close aide of minister Priyank Kharge.

Contractor Sachin Panchal’s suicide note.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has taken over the probe from the Karnataka Railway Police and the forensic lab has confirmed that the seven-page death note was indeed Sachin Panchal’s. Meanwhile, the sub-inspector of Dhanura police station in Bhalki taluk has been suspended for dereliction of duty in registering a complaint.

Minister Priyank Kharge’s aide Raju Kapanur (right) had reportedly promised the contractor tenders and taken lakhs of rupees from him.

Sachin Panchal had named seven people, including minister Priyank Kharge’s aide Raju Kapanur, in his death note and committed suicide on December 26 by coming under a train. His decapitated body was found beside the railway track.

Sachin Panchal’s sisters have sought a CBI probe into his suicide.

Meanwhile, the accused in the case have been absconding. Last Sunday, the family of the deceased contractor had shooed away policemen who came to visit them during minister Eshwar Khandre’s visit. Following claims by accused Raju Kapanur’s brother Prakash Kapanur that Rs 60 lakh had been transferred to Sachin’s account, the family of the deceased questioned why records were not released for so long. They also demanded a CBI probe into the suicide.