After contractor’s complaint, BJP MLA Munirathna taken into police custody

KOLAR: Rajarajeshwari Nagar BJP MLA Munirathna Naidu was on Saturday taken into custody by the police near Nangali in Mulbagal taluk in connection with a case filed against him by a contractor who had alleged threats from the MLA.

Kolar Police Superintendent Nikhil confirmed to Public TV that the Bengaluru police, along with the Kolar police, intercepted Muniratna’s car when he was on his way to Andhra Pradesh. The police took him back to Bengaluru, the SP added.

Two FIRs have been registered at the Vyalikaval police station against BJP MLA and former minister Munirathna. The cases stem from complaints lodged by contractor Cheluvaraju, who has accused Munirathna of harassment and threats. The first case involves issuing a death threat, with four individuals named in the FIR including Munirathna, VG Kumar, Abhishek and Vasanth Kumar. The FIRs include charges under Sections 37, 506, 505, 385, 420, and 323.

On Friday, Cheluvaraju, a Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) contractor, filed a police complaint against Munirathna, accusing him of issuing death threats and using abusive language. The contractor met Police Commissioner B Dayananda to lodge the complaint.

Cheluvaraju alleged that Munirathna threatened him by saying, “What happened to Renukaswamy will happen to you”. He claimed that the MLA had demanded a commission in connection with a contract. According to the contractor, he offered Rs 1 lakh, but Munirathna refused and insisted on the full amount. The contractor further stated, “MLA Munirathna has threatened me to pay Rs 20 lakh. If I don’t pay, he said the same fate as Renukaswamy will happen to me”.

Meanwhile, Congress leader D K Suresh has demanded the dismissal of BJP MLA Munirathna and an apology from the BJP after a purported audio clip of Munirathna using abusive language and threatening the Dalit contractor and his wife surfaced on social media. Munirathna has, however, denied it.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, the former Congress MP said, “Rajarajeshwari MLA (Munirathna) has used such a low-level language. He has insulted the Dalit community. BJP national leaders should answer this. He had earlier also looked down on the Vokkaliga community. BJP hasn’t reacted to the incident yet. He must have been dismissed by the BJP by now”.

Suresh has also accused Muniratna of insulting the Dalit community and demanded immediate action against him. “In an audio, he can be heard asking about the money and he has also threatened the contractor. I demand that the BJP and the NDA should dismiss this leader (Munirathna) immediately. He has insulted the Dalit community and a mother. Suo-motu case must be registered against him and action must be taken immediately. BJP must also issue an apology”, Suresh said.