A Bengaluru court on September 11 granted interim anticipatory bail to BJP MLA Munirathna in a case involving allegations that he threatened and pressured a rape survivor to withdraw a complaint against one of his close associates.
Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge Shivaprasad K.B. passed the order in connection with the case registered at Rajarajeshwari Nagar Police Station.
The Court directed that if Munirathna is arrested in the case, he be released on executing a personal bond of ₹2 lakh with one surety.
Court Sets Conditions
While granting interim protection, the Court directed Munirathna not to:
- threaten or intimidate anyone connected with the case;
- tamper with prosecution evidence;
- contact prosecution witnesses; or
- leave the jurisdiction of the concerned Magistrate without permission.
He was also directed to cooperate with the investigation whenever summoned by the police.
Allegations Against the MLA
The case originates from a complaint by a 36-year-old woman, who stated that she first became acquainted with a man named Ravishankar through Facebook in 2018.
According to her complaint, Ravishankar allegedly took her against her will to a lodge in Dharwad in 2019, where she alleged that she was kept for three days and raped.
She subsequently filed a rape complaint against him in Delhi in 2021 under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code.
The woman further alleged that she later came into contact with Munirathna and that he took her to different resorts, where she claimed other men attempted to sexually assault her and photographed her.
She also alleged that Munirathna subsequently took her and her sister to Delhi and pressured them to withdraw the rape case against Ravishankar.
The allegations are the subject matter of the ongoing investigation and have not been finally adjudicated by the Court.
Interim Protection
The Bengaluru court has granted Munirathna protection from arrest subject to the conditions imposed in the order.
The matter is scheduled to be heard next on September 15.
Court: Bengaluru City Civil & Sessions Court
Judge: Additional City Civil & Sessions Judge Shivaprasad K.B.
Next Hearing: September 15, 2026
