Karnataka BJP MLA Arrested on Charges of Casteist Abuse and Bribery: Full Story Inside

New Delhi- Munirathna Naidu, BJP MLA from Rajarajeshwari Nagar, was arrested by the city police on Saturday for his alleged involvement in several criminal cases, including casteist slurs, demanding bribes, and issuing threats. Police reported that Naidu was apprehended near the Nangli check-post in Kolar while heading towards Andhra Pradesh with his associates.

On Friday, based on separate complaints, the Vyalikaval police registered two FIRs against Naidu. In addition, an audio recording of an alleged conversation between the complainant and the MLA went viral on social media. In the audio clip, a person can be heard abusing another based on their caste.

Claiming that the audio clip had been tampered with, Naidu said the voice heard in the clip was not entirely his. "Technology today allows for the imitation of anyone's voice. Haven’t you heard about the case where four individuals were arrested for mimicking Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s voice?" he asked.

The complaints reportedly involve incidents that took place between 2019 and 2024. Kolar Superintendent of Police B. Nikhil told media that acting on information from Bengaluru police, Naidu’s white Toyota Innova was stopped, and the MLA was taken into custody. Later, when city police officers arrived at the scene, Naidu was handed over to them and brought to Bengaluru.

Apologize or Support the MLA's Abusive Remarks: CM

The first FIR was filed by BBMP contractor Cheluvraju, who accused Naidu of demanding a ₹30 lakh bribe, cheating him of ₹20 lakh under the pretense of providing 10 autorickshaws for garbage disposal, and threatening to kill him.

The second FIR was filed by former Lakshmidevinagar Ward Councillor Velunayakar M., accusing Naidu of threats and casteist abuse. Naidu further challenged the allegations, stating that the investigation would prove whether he called Cheluvraju from his phone or received any call from him.

He said he would fight the case legally. Prior to his arrest, Naidu had called the cases politically motivated, claiming that former Bengaluru Rural MP D.K. Suresh and others were behind the allegations. Commenting on Naidu’s arrest, the CM said the BJP MLA should clear his name. While BJP MLA C.N. Ashwath Narayan called for a voice sample test, former Congress MLA Sowmya Reddy announced plans to file a complaint with the State Women’s Commission.

In an X post, CM Siddaramaiah wrote, “In the audio, Munirathna can be heard abusing the Dalit and Vokkaliga communities and demanding bribes. Though the 40% commission government has gone, the seeds of corruption remain. What will BJP leaders like B.Y. Vijayendra and Ashok say now? The BJP should apologize to the Dalits and Vokkaligas or support Munirathna’s abuses.”

According to reports, the BJP has issued a notice to its MLA. Within an hour of Naidu’s arrest, the party sent a notice, asking him to appear before the disciplinary committee and provide an explanation.