BJP MLA Munirathna taken into custody for caste abuse

A day after two FIRs were registered against him, BJP MLA for Rajarajeshwari Nagar Munirathna was taken into custody at Nangli in Kolar district on Saturday under various charges, including caste abuse and criminal intimidation.

A day after two FIRs were registered against him, BJP MLA for Rajarajeshwari Nagar Munirathna was taken into custody at Nangli in Kolar district on Saturday under various charges, including caste abuse and criminal intimidation.

Mr. Munirathna was heading to Andhra Pradesh when a police team intercepted his car near Nangli. He was later handed over to the Vyalikaval police here, where cases have been registered against him.

A case of issuing death threat has been registered against four persons, including Mr. Munirathna, for allegedly threatening a Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) contractor, Cheluvaraju, who filed a complaint, accusing the MLA and three others of demanding a bribe of ₹30 lakh for a solid waste disposal contract.

Mr. Chalevalraju alleged that Mr. Munirathna threatened, abused, and humiliated him and used casteist slurs while demanding the bribe.

The contractor, among other things, has cited a recorded telephonic conversation, which has now gone viral, as part of the complaint.

In the complaint, Mr. Cheluvaraju, described what he called was “abuse” and the demand for bribe he faced since 2021 at the hands of the MLA.

He said he had bagged the garbage contract at D. Devaraj Urs Truck Terminal area for the last three years. Mr. Cheluvaraju alleged that he had given ₹20 lakh bribe to Mr. Munirathna after he had promised to get him 10 autorickshaws from the BBMP for garbage collection, but cheated him.