Madikeri: In a twist to the death of Kodagu District BJP General Secretary Balachandra Kalagi’s death, who reportedly died in a Maruti-omni-van-lorry collision on Wednesday, District BJP leaders have raised suspicions about his death.

Addressing a press meet here yesterday, District BJP President B.B. Bharateesh asked the Police to conduct a fair probe into the death of Kalagi, who reportedly died when the Maruti omni he was driving collided head-on with a lorry near Sampaje on Wednesday. But Kalagi’s family members, Sampaje residents and the BJP party have  expressed doubts about his death. As such, the Police should conduct a fair probe into the accident, he said.

Maintaining that the accused lorry driver’s statement that there was a problem in the brake system of the lorry cannot be believed, he demanded an urgent and fair probe into the accident.

Pointing out that Balachandra Kalagi had launched a movement against illegal activities in Sampaje region, Bharateesh said that Kalagi’s family members have told that he (Kalagi) used to get threat calls and as such only a thorough probe can unearth the truth behind Kalagi’s death.

Madikeri Taluk BJP President Talur Kishore Kumar said that Kalagi always fought against illegal sand mining in Sampaje region.

Stating that there was a question mark on why the lorry driver chose the road in which Kalagi was travelling, when there were other good roads from Sampaje to Madikeri, he reiterated that only a thorough and fair probe can reveal the truth about the accident.

BJP leaders Robin Devaiah, V.K. Lokesh, Napanda Kalappa, Kodira Prasanna and others were present at the press meet.