Ready for probe, says Belagavi Rural MLA on woman's murder

Belagavi Rural BJP MLA Sanjay Patil has said that he is ready to face any enquiry by the party with regard to the murder of a woman of Mysuru origin.

The charred body of Rakshita Jain, a resident Mysuru, was found near Channapattana, recently. The name of Sanjay Patil cropped up during the probe. Patil was found chatting with Rakshita on WhatsApp.

On Sunday in Hubballi, BJP President Pralhad Joshi reportedly announced that the party would hold an internal enquiry as Patil’s name has figured in the murder case.

When contacted by this newspaper, Patil, who is in Bengaluru to attend the legislature session, said, “I welcome any probe by the party and the police because I am not guilty in any way. I have already explained to the party leaders that I knew the lady only through social media.”

Asked how long he knew Rakshita, Patil said, “We were in WhatsApp group for last one year. I am also a Jain. So we used to meet in religious programmes. Except chatting on WhatsApp, we had no links. I send not less than 5,000 to 10,000 messages on social media in a day. Anyway, I have explained my version to the police and the party.” He also said the police have already found the person responsible for her murder.