BJP MLA Munirathna Arrested on Rape and Harassment Charges, Remanded to 14-Days Judicial Custody

BJP MLA Munirathna was remanded to 14-days judicial custody after Bengaluru police arrested him on allegations of rape and harassment. The case also involves six other individuals. Additional complaints against Munirathna include threats to a BBMP contractor and casteist slurs.

The special court of people's representative has remanded Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Munirathna to 14 days of judicial custody. The BJP MLA was apprehended by Bengaluru police on charges of alleged rape and harassment. The FIR was filed under multiple IPC Sections, including 354A, 354C, 376, among others. Besides Munirathna, six other individuals — Vijay Kumar, Sudhakara, Kiran Kumar, Lohit Gowda, Manjunath, and Loki — have been implicated in the case.

According to the complaint, the incident occurred at a private resort under the jurisdiction of Kaggalipura police station. Produced before Justice KM Shivakumar, the MLA is also facing allegations of threatening a BBMP contractor, demanding bribes, and using casteist slurs.

Mumirathna was taken into custody by Bengaluru police on September 14 with assistance from Kolar Police as he traveled to Andhra Pradesh. A contractor, Chelvaraju, accused the MLA of harassment and threats, filing the first case against him. The FIR names Munirathna and three others under Sections 37, 506, 505, 385, 420, and 323. Chelvaraju claims the MLA demanded a commission and threatened him, saying, 'What happened to Renukaswamy will happen to you.'

(With inputs from agencies.)