A case of kidnapping has been lodged against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA M Munirathna and his associates, following allegations of coercing a Congress worker to join the party.
The complaint, filed by Samuel, a Congress party worker and painter from Lakshmidevi Nagar, accuses Munirathna’s associates – Suresh, Vasanth, Wasim, and Seena – of luring him under false pretences to Rajkumar’s tomb. From there, he was allegedly taken to the MLA’s office in Vayalikaval, where he claims to have been detained for two days and subjected to intimidation tactics to force him to defect to the BJP.
Nandini Layout police inspector J Lakshman stated that based on Samuel’s complaint, a case has been registered against Munirathna and the four others under sections 363 (kidnap), 504 (intentional insult), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The investigation into the matter is ongoing, with the police reviewing CCTV footage to establish the sequence of events.
In response to the accusations, MLA Munirathna has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegations of coercion and intimidation baseless. He claimed that Samuel approached him expressing support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CN Manjunath, stating that anyone who wishes to join the BJP is welcomed by the party.
Munirathna criticized the police for swiftly filing an FIR “without conducting any investigation,” suggesting that it was an attempt to hinder his campaigning efforts for the BJP in the upcoming Bengaluru Rural Constituency elections. He compared the situation to a previous incident in Kanakapura, insinuating a pattern of intimidation tactics.
The BJP MLA emphasized that he stands by the principles of democracy and does not engage in coercive tactics to garner support. The investigation into the case is ongoing, with authorities reviewing evidence to ascertain the facts surrounding the allegations made by Samuel.
