Bengaluru: A court in Bengaluru has granted bail to Karnataka BJP MLA N. Munirathna Naidu, who was arrested in connection with an alleged rape and honey-trapping case. The MLA, who represents the RR Nagar Constituency, is set to be released from prison a month after his arrest. His associates, Lohit, Kiran, and Manjunath, were granted bail just a day earlier.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is currently investigating the case, in which Munirathna is accused of serious offenses. He is presently held at the Central Prison in Bengaluru.
The allegations stem from a complaint filed by a woman social activist with the Kaggalipura Police in Ramanagara district. She claimed that Munirathna took her to one of his properties in Mutyalanagara, where he allegedly raped her. The victim further stated that he recorded the incident and threatened her with severe consequences if she reported it. According to her complaint, she was coerced into honey-trapping individuals at various private resorts.
“The BJP MLA forced me to carry out honey traps and threatened to kill me if I didn’t comply,” the victim alleged in her statement.
The Kaggalipura Police registered a criminal case against Munirathna on September 18. In the wake of these developments, Karnataka Congress leader D.K. Suresh has accused Munirathna of attempting to infect political adversaries with HIV, urging the government to investigate a broader network allegedly led by the MLA.
Suresh stated, “A network of people led by Munirathna is conspiring to infect enemies with HIV. The government must investigate all involved.”
The SIT has also conducted raids at Munirathna’s residence and 15 other locations across Bengaluru, prompted by information from the victim. She alleged that he recorded sexual assaults and used the footage to blackmail various politicians and public officials, including IAS and IPS officers.
Munirathna was initially arrested on charges of issuing life threats and making derogatory remarks about the Dalit community. An audio clip containing offensive language directed at the Vokkaliga community also sparked significant controversy.
The MLA has vehemently denied all allegations, claiming they are fabricated.
