Karnataka BJP MLA Munirathna 'honey-trapped' two former CMs, accuses woman who filed rape complaint

Bengaluru: BJP MLA Munirathna honey-trapped two former chief ministers for his political gain, the woman who accused him of rape claimed on Wednesday. The 40-year-old survivor levelled several startling allegations against the MLA from RR Nagar in Bengaluru when she addressed the media.

“He [Munirathna] has used the private videos of former chief ministers to become the minister,” the woman alleged. “As per my information, he has honey-trapped two former CMs. The incident occurred in Bengaluru somewhere in 2020 or 2021. If the government gives me protection, I will hand over the necessary documentation to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and reveal names.”

The woman claimed that the MLA has exploited several women, including those with HIV, but they were scared to “even say Munirathna’s name”. Munirathna also possessed advanced video equipment and his cousin Sudhakar Ramchandra Naidu handled things.

“As far as I know, he [Munirathna] has private videos of police officers (till the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) level), politicians and MLAs. There are at least five to six other victims, who are afraid to come forward. I, somehow managed to save some video clips when Sudhakar was away. We were not allowed to carry our mobile phones.

“He has raped me and used me in honey trapping. He used to make me do video calls and then take screenshots. There is nothing political about me coming forward,” the woman added.

Munirathna is currently in judicial custody. The SIT is probing three cases registered — two in Vyalikaval police station in Bengaluru and one in Kaggalipura police station in Ramanagara — against the MLA.

The MLA has been booked under multiple sections, including rape, sexual harassment, voyeurism, criminal intimidation, extortion, promoting enmity between different groups, word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.