The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested five individuals, including a close aide of Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge, in connection with the suicide of contractor Sachin Panchal. The BJP has accused Priyank, son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, of being involved in the case.
Sachin Panchal, a 26-year-old contractor in Kalaburagi, died by suicide on December 26. A suicide note written by him alleged threats and extortion from Raju Kapnoor, a close aide of Priyank Kharge. The death note accused former Congress corporator Raju Kapnoor and eight others – local Congress leaders Nandakumar Nagabujange and Goraknath Sajjan Chinchansur; Prakash Dheer Patila, a history sheeter from Maharashtra; Shiv Sena corporator Manoj Sejawal; managing director of Unity Infrabuild Vikas HM; project manager Vinay; and Ramangowda Patil, a class-1 contractor from Kalaburagi – of threatening and extorting money from Sachin Panchal. The note also demanded strict legal action against the named individuals.
While Priyank Kharge was not directly named in Sachin’s death note, the BJP alleged his involvement, citing Raju Kapnoor’s proximity to Kharge. State BJP president BY Vijayendra called for Priyank’s resignation and a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the case.
The Congress, however, has defended Kharge. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ruled out Kharge’s resignation and refused to hand the case to the CBI, instead transferring it to the CID. The CID’s preliminary investigation confirmed the authenticity of Sachin’s death note.
The BJP ramped up its offensive, accusing Kharge of leading a “supari gang” and insinuating foul play in Sachin’s death. On January 4, BJP leaders, including Leader of the Opposition in the Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, staged protests outside Priyank’s residence in Kalaburagi, accusing him of treating the district as his “personal fiefdom.”
Sachin’s note outlines a series of events where he was coerced into paying bribes and commissions to secure tenders, many of which never materialised.
In the letter, Sachin explained that his company, led by Vikash HM, had applied for a tender worth Rs 12 crore under the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Department (RWSSD). Raju allegedly demanded a 5% commission (Rs 60 lakh) to ensure the tender’s approval, claiming that Priyank Kharge had given him his word and he did not go back on it. Sachin recounted that Raju and he met Priyank Kharge five to six times in Bengaluru. During one such meeting, Priyank had allegedly called Chief Engineer Izaz Hussain to approve the tender bid. Despite paying Rs 10 lakh as an advance, the tender never materialised.
Raju then promised to secure another tender worth Rs 15 crore, which also failed to materialise. Meanwhile, Sachin’s company faced mounting financial pressure with Rs 2 crore in pending bills for work in Bidar and Kalaburagi panchayats. Raju allegedly demanded Rs 10 lakh to expedite the payment, directing Sachin to deposit Rs 5 lakh into the State Bank of India account of Raju’s wife, Santhoshi. Sachin transferred the amount from his personal account, only for the payments to face further delays.
The note further reveals a string of failed promises tied to projects in Kalaburagi. Sachin described how he invested his own money into a Zoo Authority of Karnataka tender in Kalaburagi, under the assurance of partnering with Raju. However, the project fell apart, leaving him in financial ruin. Raju and his associates, including Pradeep Patil and Manoj Seejaval, persuaded Sachin to transfer Rs 25 lakh from funds deposited into his account by supposed investors, claiming it would secure new tenders under the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB). When these tenders also failed, Sachin was left to face accusations of fraud.
Sachin recounted a harrowing incident in which Raju and three others confined him in a room in Bengaluru after discrepancies in tender filings came to light. He alleged that Raju Kapnoor, Nandakumar, Gorakhnath, and Raman Gowda Patil intimidated him and forced him to involve a friend who pretended to be his company’s MD to deflect blame. Returning to Kalaburagi, Sachin found his reputation in tatters as Raju called investors and accused him of fraud. Sachin alleged Raju even confiscated his iPhone, leaving him isolated and desperate.
In his final plea, Sachin demanded legal action against Raju and his associates, saying they had left him financially and emotionally devastated.
So far, Raju Kapnoor, Nandkumar Nagabhujange, Gorakhnath Sajjan, Ramangouda Patil, and Satish Ratnakar have been arrested.
If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.
Tamil Nadu
State Health Department's suicide helpline: 104
Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu)
Andhra Pradesh
Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930
Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584
Karnataka
Sahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222
Kerala
Maithri: 0484 2540530
Chaithram: 0484 2361161
Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.
Telangana
State government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104
Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200
SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 am and 7 pm)
Aasara offers support to individuals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one.
24x7 Helpline: 9820466726
Click here for working helplines across India.