CID to investigate rape charges against MLA Vinay Kulkarni

Bengaluru:  The Karnataka government has directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to probe the rape case against Congress MLA and former minister Vinay Kulkarni.

The CID will also investigate the case filed by Kulkarni against the survivor and Power TV MD Rakesh Shetty for alleged extortion by demanding Rs 2 crore. 

As per the FIR registered at the Sanjay Nagar police station in Bengaluru on October 8, the woman, 34, who identified herself as a social worker, accused the Dharwad MLA of rape, kidnap and criminal intimidation. Another suspect Arjun, named as the MLA's aide, was accused of destruction of evidence and helping Kulkarni.

On October 7, Kulkarni filed a complaint with the Sanjay Nagar police accusing the woman and Power TV MD Rakesh Shetty of extortion by demanding Rs 2 crore. The TV channel had aired the woman's allegations and some purported visuals of Kulkarni on a video call with her. The FIR was subsequently registered.