BJP MLA Munirathna detained over harassment, bribery and casteist abuse allegations

Bengaluru: Munirathna, the BJP MLA from Rajarajeshwari Nagar, has been detained by the police on Saturday evening (Sept 14), according to reports. The arrest took place in Kolar.

Two FIRs were registered against Munirathna after an audio clip of a conversation between BBMP contractor Chaluvaraju and Munirathna went viral.

Munirathna is facing severe criticism for allegedly making derogatory remarks against two communities. The Congress party has also demanded his resignation. Following the registration of two FIRs against him, Munirathna was reported to have gone into hiding. The police had launched a search for him, and he has now been detained in Kolar.

As a precautionary measure, police security has been deployed near Munirathna’s residence, with a KSRP unit stationed at the location.

“We have taken him into custody. He was detained in Kolar and is being brought to Bengaluru, after which he will be formally arrested in connection with the cases filed against him,” a senior police officer said.

Citing violation of party discipline, the state BJP has issued a show cause notice to Munirathna asking him to clarify allegations against him before the disciplinary committee within five days.

The cases against the Rajarajeshwarinagar MLA were filed at Vyalikaval police station on Friday.

In the first FIR filed by BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) contractor, Cheluvaraju, he accused the MLA of demanding Rs 30 lakh as a bribe and threatening to terminate his contract if he did not pay the amount.

In his complaint, he alleged that initially, Munirathna had demanded Rs 20 lakh in 2021 from him over a solid waste disposal contract. However, despite making that payment for getting 10 auto trippers for a waste management contract, he was not sanctioned those vehicles by the civic body.

According to the FIR, Cheluvaraju was being repatedly harassed by the MLA who allegedly verbally abused him and also physically assaulted him. In the complaint, he further alleged that the MLA did not allow him to execute his work and had even slapped him in September 2023.

Along with the MLA, three others, including government officials, were also named in the FIR for allegedly threatening, abusing and harassing the contractor.

He also alleged that because of the repeated harassment, he even thought of ending his life, it said.

Cheluvaraju has also released an audio recording of a phone conversation between him and the accused MLA.

According to police, the second FIR has been filed against the MLA on the complaint of a BBMP corporator who alleged that the MLA hurled casteist abuse, insulted his caste and family. The MLA allegedly asked Chaluvaraju not to associate himself with the corporator because of his caste.

The FIR was registered under SC and the ST (prevention of atrocities) Act and other sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, police added.

A senior police officer said, “Based on the complaints received, we registered two separate cases against the MLA who has been accused of threats, harassment, bribery and casteist abuse. The matter is being investigated.”

 

(With PTI inputs)