Bengaluru court grants bail to BJP MLA Munirathna in rape case

A special court in Bengaluru granted bail to BJP MLA Munirathna, who is accused of rape and sexual harassment. Special Judge Santosh Gajanan Bhat granted bail to Munirathna and his co-accused, directing them to execute a personal bond of ₹1 lakh and appear before the investigating agency when required. Munirathna was arrested on September 14 and remanded to judicial custody. The Karnataka government formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the allegations. Munirathna faces charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including rape, assault, and criminal intimidation5.