Police get two days custody of BJP MLA Munirathna

BENGALURU: Rajarajeshwari Nagar BJP MLA Munirathna Naidu, who was arrested by the police on Saturday near Mulbagal while he was on his way to Andhra Pradesh, was produced before a judge who remanded him to police custody for two days.

Munirathna was arrested in connection with a case filed against him by BBMP contractor Cheluvaraju who has alleged threats and caste abuse by the MLA. Two FIRs have been registered at the Vyalikaval police station against Munirathna.

On Sunday, the police were expected to collect the audio samples of the alleged threats made to the contractor and send them to the forensic science laboratory for tests. They will also collect audio samples from Munirathna possession for tests.

After he was intercepted near Nangali in Mulbagal taluk on Saturday evening, Munirathna was brought to the Bowring Hospital in Bengaluru for medical tests from where he was taken to the Ashoknagar police station. From there, he was taken to the judges’ quarters near Kogilu Cross, Yelahanka, and produced before judge Santosh Gajanana Bhat where the Vyalikaval police sought a week’s custody, but were granted only two days.

Munirathna reportedly told the judge that he was on his way to Tirupati along with his driver when his car was intercepted. He told the judge that he has heart ailments and hernia and added that if he was called for inquiry, he would have visited the police station near his residence. he also claimed that his arrest was politically motivated.