Karnataka Home Minister: Karnataka BJP MLA Munirathna sent to police custody in intimidation, bribery case

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Sunday said BJP MP N Munirathna, who has been arrested in connection with two cases filed against him for allegedly issuing death threats to a BBMP contractor, has been remanded in police custody for two days.

Ruling out any vendetta politics behind the arrest of the former minister, the minister said the action was taken in accordance with law. Munirathna, who represents Rajarajeshwari Nagar Assembly segment in Bengaluru, was arrested from Nangli village in Kolar’s Mulbagal on Saturday night on charges of harassing a Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) contractor for bribery, using casteist slurs against a former corporator, cheating, criminal intimidation and insulting the modesty of a woman.

Contractor Cheluvaraju, one of the complainants, also released an alleged audio recording of a phone conversation between him and Munirathna.

“A complaint has been lodged alleging that he (Munirathna) spoke in a very derogatory manner about a former corporator who was a block congress president and also about a contractor. Based on the complaint, he has been arrested. Now, the investigation has begun,” Parameshwara said.

He told reporters in Tumkuru that he was produced before the magistrate this morning, who remanded Munirathna in judicial custody for two days.

“They are going to investigate, let’s see what happens.” “…his voice samples are being taken, they are being sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and it is being verified whether it is his voice or not,” he added. Munirathna, in a video statement on Saturday, had termed the allegations against him “far from the truth” and alleged that a conspiracy was being hatched against him. The state BJP has issued a show cause notice to Munirathna and asked him to clarify the allegations before a disciplinary committee within five days, citing breach of party discipline.

Responding to allegations of vendetta politics, the interior minister said: “Action was taken in accordance with law on the basis of a complaint, where is vendetta politics in this case? Those who were with him and faced abuse have complained. Did Congress or anyone else file the complaint?”

“If no action is taken, then it will be alleged that no action was taken despite the complaint. The police took action in accordance with the law,” he added.