Karnataka BJP MLA Munirathna was arrested on Saturday, September 14, for allegedly threatening to kill a contractor and using casteist slurs against him. Munirathna is a BJP MLA from a Karnataka assembly seat. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also issued a show cause notice to its MLA in the matter. Police said that two FIRs have been registered against Munirathna for alleged harassment, threats and casteist slurs. These cases were registered at Vyalikaval police station in Bengaluru on Friday. Following this, Munirathna was arrested.
The first FIR against Munirathna was filed by BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) contractor Cheluvaraju. In this FIR, he accused Munirathna of demanding a bribe of Rs 30 lakh and threatening to cancel the contract if the amount was not paid. Cheluvaraju alleged in his complaint that initially Munirathna demanded Rs 20 lakh from him for a solid waste disposal contract in 2021, but despite making the payment to get 10 ‘auto trippers’ for the waste management contract, the civic body did not approve the provision of these vehicles.
According to the FIR, Cheluvaraju was repeatedly harassed by the MLA and was allegedly abused and assaulted. The complainant alleged that the MLA did not allow him to do his work and even slapped him in September 2023.
According to the police, the MLA along with three others including government officials have been named as accused in the case for allegedly threatening, abusing and harassing the contractor. Cheluvaraju has also made public an alleged audio recording of his phone conversation with the accused MLA. He also alleged that he even thought of taking his life due to the repeated harassment.
Police said the second FIR against the MLA was filed on the complaint of a BBMP councillor. The councillor has alleged that the MLA used casteist slurs and insulted his family. The MLA allegedly told Cheluvaraju not to associate with him because of the councillor’s caste. According to police, an FIR has been registered in the case under SC/ST and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
A senior police officer said, “Based on the complaints received, we have registered two separate cases against the MLA. He has been accused of intimidation, harassment, bribery and caste-based abuse. The allegations are being investigated.”
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