Mandya: BJP State General Secretary and MP Shobha Karandlaje yesterday accused that the sand mafia was behind the death of T. Narasipur Tahsildar Shankaraiah, who was found hanging in his quarters last week.

She was speaking after visiting the house of the Tahsildar in Mandya and offering condolences to the family members of the deceased. She said that after Siddharamaiah-led Government came to power, many honest and strict officials died under mysterious circumstances including Shankaraiah and added that there was no security for honest officials in the Congress rules State.

She said that there was a lot of suspicions revolving around Shankaraiah’s suicide and added that for the truth to come out, a thorough probe by a sitting Judge should be done. She objected that the SP had not disclosed the suicide note by Shankaraiah and suspected that there were plans to close the case.

Former Ministers Shivanna and B. Somashekar, leaders Aravind, Ramesh, Siddarajugowda, T.D. Basavaraju and others were present.