A woman has filed a complaint against BJP MLA N Munirathna Naidu from Karnataka, accusing him of rape and coercion in a honey-trap scheme, according to PTI.
The woman alleged that the the MLA raped her in multiple locations, including the Karnataka state assembly building, Vidhan Soudha, and inside a state government-provided car. She further claimed the MLA threatened her with severe consequences if she revealed the incidents.
The victim claimed that . Munirathna raped her repeatedly between 2020 and 2023, during which time he was a minister from August, 2021 to May, 2023.
A special court on Saturday remanded to 14 days judicial custody Munirathna who was arrested in connection with a case of rape, sexual harassment and criminal intimidation.
Munirathna was produced before the court a day after his arrest from where he was sent to the central jail at Parappana Agrahara in the city.
The MLA was booked along with six others in the case following the complaint of a 40-year-old woman who alleged that the incident took place at a private resort within the Kaggalipura police station’s jurisdiction, police said.
Munirathna's arrest comes a day after a special court for people’s representatives granted conditional bail to the legislator who was arrested on various charges, including using casteist slurs.
The court had, after hearing arguments on his bail plea, allowed his application on the condition of furnishing a Rs two lakh bond and two sureties, and issued specific instructions prohibiting him from tampering with evidence or obstructing the investigation. The 60-year-old was arrested soon after he stepped out of Parappana Agrahara prison, where he had been lodged for three days in connection with an SC/ST atrocity case.
(With inputs from PTI)
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