Bengaluru: A special investigation team (SIT) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has submitted a closure report in the gang rape case filed against BJP MLA N Munirathna Naidu and four of his associates, declaring the allegations false. The development was reported to the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday.
High court hearing adjourned to September 17
Justice MI Arun, taking note of the SIT’s submission, adjourned the hearing on Munirathna’s petition to September 17. The bench also extended the interim order restraining the police from taking any coercive action against the legislator until the next date of hearing.
The complaint, lodged in May this year by a 40-year-old social worker, alleged that Munirathna had orchestrated a gang rape at his office on June 11, 2023. The woman accused the MLA of directing two of his associates to take her inside the office under the pretext of helping her clear a pending criminal case.
Allegations made by complainant
According to the complaint, two men raped her while Munirathna allegedly watched and later humiliated her by urinating on her. The serious nature of the accusations led to significant attention and a petition against the MLA.
SIT findings and closure report
However, the SIT investigation concluded that the claims lacked evidence. “There was not a single piece of evidence to establish the allegations. Hence, we are closing the case under a B report, stating that the complaint itself is false,” said a senior IPS officer.
The SIT informed the court that after thorough verification of the complaint, witnesses, and forensic evidence, no material corroborated the woman’s charges. As a result, the case has been recommended for closure.
Previous cases against the MLA
This is not the first time Munirathna has faced legal challenges. The SIT had earlier charge-sheeted him and his associates in a honey-trap case, alleging that they attempted to infect others with AIDS. Additionally, in November last year, the MLA was charge-sheeted for allegedly using abusive language against an ex-corporator.
Political and legal significance
The closure report is expected to bring relief to Munirathna, who has maintained that the charges were politically motivated and aimed at damaging his reputation. His legal team has been pressing for dismissal of the case since the complaint was filed.
The High Court’s final ruling on the matter, scheduled for September 17, will determine whether the closure report is accepted, effectively ending the case.
Conclusion
With the SIT declaring the case false, the spotlight now shifts to the High Court’s decision later this month. The ruling will likely shape both Munirathna’s political standing and the broader discourse around misuse of sexual assault allegations in Karnataka’s political landscape.