Rape case filed against Karnataka BJP MLA Munirathna, 6 others

BJP MLA Munirathna and six others are accused of sexual harassment in Ramnagar, Karnataka, with an FIR filed under multiple IPC sections. Currently in Bengaluru police custody for allegedly threatening a contractor, his bail plea is set for today. Further allegations include death threats and extortion involving a BBMP contractor.

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP ) MLA and former minister Munirathna, along with six others, has been accused of sexual harassment in Ramnagar district, Karnataka . The incident reportedly took place at a private resort within the jurisdiction of Kaggalipura police station. The First Information Report (FIR) was filed at the Kaggalipura police station on Wednesday night.

The charges include sections under IPC Sections 354A, 354C, 376, 506, 504, 120(b), 149, 384, 406, and 308. The other individuals named in the case are Vijay Kumar, Sudhakara, Kiran Kumar, Lohit Gowda, Manjunath, and Loki. Munirathna is currently in Bengaluru police custody, accused of threatening a contractor.

His bail plea is scheduled to be heard by the Special Court of People's Representatives today. If granted bail, he may be detained near the jail, otherwise, the Kaggalipura police will proceed with a body warrant to take him into custody. On September 14, Munirathna was taken into custody by Bengaluru police, with assistance from Kolar police, for allegedly threatening a Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) contractor.

The arrest occurred near Kolar while he was travelling to Andhra Pradesh. Kolar Superintendent of Police B Nikhil confirmed two FIRs registered against Munirathna at the Vyalikaval police station, following complaints from contractor Chelvaraju. The charges include issuing a death threat, with defendants named as Munirathna, VG Kumar, Abhishek, and Vasanth Kumar.

Sections listed in the FIRs include 37, 506, 505, 385, 420, and 323. Chelvaraju alleged, "What happened to Renukaswamy will happen to you," claiming that the MLA demanded a commission related to a contract. He stated that Munirathna demanded Rs 20 lakhs, refusing an offer of Rs 1 lakh.

Chelvaraju further accused, " MLA Munirathna has threatened me to pay Rs 20 lakhs. If I don't pay, he said the same fate as Renukaswamy will happen to me," alleging involvement of Munirathna's elder sister's son in Renukaswamy's murder. Also, an audio clip has gone viral allegedly featuring Munirathna using abusive language and threatening a Dalit individual, the contractor and his wife.

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