BJP MLA Munirathna Arrested for Threatening Contractor in Bengaluru
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA and former minister Munirathna was taken into custody on Saturday night by Bengaluru police for allegedly threatening a Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) contractor.
Details of the Arrest
According to Kolar Superintendent of Police (SP) B Nikhil, Munirathna was arrested with the help of Kolar Police while he was traveling to Andhra Pradesh. Two FIRs were registered at the Vyalikaval police station against Munirathna based on complaints from contractor Chelvaraju.
Allegations and Charges
Chelvaraju accused Munirathna of harassment and threats, including issuing a death threat. The FIRs name four individuals: Munirathna, VG Kumar, Abhishek, and Vasanth Kumar. Charges include sections 37, 506, 505, 385, 420, and 323.
Chelvaraju claimed that Munirathna demanded a commission related to a contract and threatened him with the same fate as Renukaswamy if he did not pay Rs 20 lakhs. An audio clip allegedly featuring Munirathna using abusive language and threatening a Dalit person, the contractor, and his wife also went viral.
Political Reactions
Congress leader DK Suresh demanded Munirathna’s dismissal and an apology for insulting the Dalit community. He criticized BJP national leaders for not reacting to the incident.
Connection to Renukaswamy Murder Case
Earlier, Bengaluru Police submitted a charge sheet against 17 accused in the Renukaswamy murder case, including Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa and his friend Pavithra Gowda. Seventeen people have been arrested and are under judicial custody. Three eyewitnesses and 27 witnesses have provided statements in court.
Doubts Revealed
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party, which is one of the major political parties in India.
MLA -: MLA stands for Member of Legislative Assembly. They are elected representatives who make laws and policies for a state in India.
Munirathna -: Munirathna is a politician who is a member of the BJP and serves as an MLA in Karnataka.
BBMP -: BBMP stands for Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, which is the municipal corporation responsible for the civic and infrastructural needs of Bengaluru.
FIR -: FIR stands for First Information Report. It is a document prepared by the police when they receive information about the commission of a cognizable offense.
Dalit community -: The Dalit community refers to a group of people in India who have been historically marginalized and were once considered ‘untouchable’ in the caste system.
DK Suresh -: DK Suresh is a leader from the Congress party, which is another major political party in India.
Renukaswamy murder case -: The Renukaswamy murder case is a criminal case involving the murder of a person named Renukaswamy. It has led to the arrest and charging of several individuals.
Darshan Thoogudeepa -: Darshan Thoogudeepa is a popular actor in the Kannada film industry, also known as Sandalwood.