Karnataka government orders SIT probe against BJP MP Munirathna, arrested in rape case

Bengaluru, September 21 (IANS): The Karnataka government has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe against BJP MP N. Munirathna, against whom a rape charge has been levelled.

The government has ordered the formation of the SIT. Senior IPS officer BK Singh will head the unit.

Labhu Ram, IGP Central Range; Sowmyalatha, Superintendent of Police, Railways and CA Simon, Superintendent of Police were appointed as members of the SIT.

The order said that two criminal cases filed at Vyalikaval police station, another case (rape and honey traps) filed at Kaggalipura police station and other cases filed at police stations across the state would be handed over to the SIT.

On September 13, the first case under Sections 506, 504, 385, 420, 323 read with 34 of IPC (Atrocity Act) and the second case under Sections 153 (A)(1)(A) (B), 509, 504, 153 of IPC (Atrocity Act) were filed against MLA Munirathna at Vyalikaval police station.

The Kaggalipura police have registered a criminal case under 354 (A), 354 (C), 376 (2) (N), 506, 504, 120 (B), 149, 406, 308 of the IPC and Column 66, 66 (E) of the IT Act on September 18 based on the complaint of a woman.

Considering the seriousness of these cases, the government decided to constitute an SIT team under the Criminal Investigation Department and issued a mandate to conduct a comprehensive investigation into these cases.

The Attorney General of the State has been directed to refer all filed and future cases to the SIT team. He has also been directed to provide necessary staff, if required, with necessary approval.

The SIT works under the supervision of the DGP-CID.

The SIT was ordered to complete the investigation as soon as possible and submit the report to the government through the state police chief.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been informed that more victims are likely to come forward against Munirathna and that a special mechanism is required to deal with the developments in the case.

The SIT is also expected to set up a hotline for victims to contact and file complaints against MP Munirathna.

Senior IPS officer BK Singh also headed the SIT that investigated the Prajwal Revanna sex scandal.

On Friday, Karnataka Congress leader DK Suresh alleged that Munirathna was trying to infect his opponents with HIV and that the government must investigate the case.

Suresh said, “A network of people led by BJP MP Munirathna Naidu has conspired to infect enemies with HIV. The government must investigate all those who are part of the network.”

A special court on Saturday remanded Munirathna, who was arrested in a rape case, in judicial custody for 14 days till October 5.

Munirathna was arrested in Bengaluru on Friday after a social activist filed a complaint of rape and criminal intimidation.

The Kaggalipura police arrested the BJP MP immediately after his release from Bengaluru Central Jail.

A court had earlier granted him bail on Thursday in two other cases registered at Vyalikaval police station, accusing him of atrocities and issuing death threats against a construction contractor.

Munirathna had previously been arrested for making death threats and caste-related insults against a construction contractor.

The special court had granted Munirathna's bail application in these cases on Thursday.

The Kaggalipura police in Ramanagara district had filed an FIR against Munirathna on Thursday following a complaint by a social activist.

The victim alleged in her complaint that Munirathna took her to a warehouse owned by him in Mutyalanagara and raped her there.

The plaintiff had also stated that he had recorded the act and threatened her that “she would be severely punished if the matter came out.” The victim also claimed that she was forced to seduce people at various private resorts.

“The BJP MP forced me to commit honey traps. He threatened me with death if I made him do this work,” the victim said in her complaint.