Belagavi: Minor irrigation minister Shivaraj Tangadagi was the opposition's target in the upper House over the recent murder of a 17-year-old student from Kanakgiri in Koppal district with BJP leaders led by K.S. Eshwarappa boycotting the House demanding his immediate removal from the state cabinet and a CBI investigation into the case.

For six months after the incident, Mr Eshwarappa said the police department did not arrest the accused including Hanmesh Nayak under pressure from influential and powerful leaders including Mr Tangadagi. The government ignored newspaper reports that pointed fingers at the minister in connection with the killing of Yallalinga. “I am 100 per cent certain that the minister supported the killers. The family of Yallalinga mentioned the name of Hanmesh Nayak in the police complaint. It is known in Kanakgiri that Hanmesh moved around with the minister as he was a member of the Congress party,'' said Mr Eshwarappa.

According to Mr Eshwarappa, Yallalinga sighted the accused on bikes chasing the bus he was in, he called several people over phone to inform them about his imminent murder but failed to garner the needed support. He was hacked to death on alighting from the bus and his body was dumped on rail tracks. The BJP MLCs demanded that the worsening goondaism in Koppal should be suppressed to avoid the killing of innocent people.

Responding to the charges, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, his government has arrested all the accused handing over the case to CID. He said the government would not succumb to pressure and ensure all those connected with the murder are brought to book. He refused to hand over the case to CBI insisting that police officials are efficient to carry out the probe.