Lokayukta Court Judge N K Sudhindra Rao had on December 15 directed Lokayukta police to initiate an inquiry into the matter and submit a report by February 4 next year.
Shimoga-based advocate B Vinod in his complaint had contended that Eshwarappa, after assuming office as an MLA in 2008, had purchased assets worth crores of rupees, disproportionate to known sources of income in the name of his family members by misusing his position.
Eshwarappa, also the president of the state unit of BJP, has been named as the first accused while his son and daughter-in-law are the second and third accused.
