Youth fighting corruption murdered;BJP demands debate in assly

 Opposition BJP today demanded discussion in the assembly on alleged murder of a youth in Koppal district who spoke against corruption, charging that the district in charge Minister was "shielding those involved."

Leader of Opposition Jagadish Shettar raised the issue and requested the chair to allow discussion on it.

"Goondagiri is on the rise in Koppal district, where a youth named Yellalinga was killed for speaking against corruption. We had heard of such killings in Bihar earlier, now Koppal is turning into a mini Bihar," Shettar said.

Alleging a political conspiracy behind Yellalinga’s killing, Shettar said "people who are suspected to be behind his killing are still roaming free. Killers are being shielded by District in charge Minister (Shivaraj Tangadagi)."

He said police had earlier declared his death as a case of suicide, and an FIR was lodged only after his mother's demand.

Not agreeing to the opposition’s demand for immediately taking up the issue for discussion, Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa said the debate on demands pertaining to various departments should be taken up first and the murder issue could be discussed later.

Yellalinga was allegedly murdered for exposing irregularities and misuse of funds meant for laying road and drainage works in Kanakapur village. His body was found near a railway track in Koppal on January 20.

Recently, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) which is investigating the case had arrested a former Zilla Panchayat member in connection with the case.