Karnataka Minister Munirathna booked for distributing freebies to voters
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Bengaluru: Karnataka Horticulture Minister Munirathna was charged on Sunday for allegedly distributing sarees to voters in apparent violation of the model code of conduct.
A team of Election Commission of India led by Manoj Kumar recovered five sarees carrying the minister’s photo on them apparently to woo voters.
The sarees were seen dumped on a roadside near Bengaluru’s Rajarajeshwari Nagar, according to Indian Express.
BJP leader V C Chandru and other others were also booked alongside Munirathna.
Munirathna is now facing charges under sections171 (b) and 171 (e) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections 123 (1) and 123 (2) of the Representation of the People Act, according to The Indian Express.
Munirathna is facing second FIR since code of conduct was implemented in the state ahead of polls.
He was previously booked for alleged hate speech against Christians and was charged with promoting enmity among people.
Meanwhile, Congress MLA Sowmya Reddy was charged after the flying squad seized books containing the leader’s image in his car near a check post.