Karnataka Congress MLA accused of rape, kidnapping and criminal intimidation

Dharwad MLA Vinay Kulkarni. | Photo credit: The Hindu

The Bengaluru police registered an FIR against Dharwad Congress MP Vinay Kulkarni on October 8 after a 34-year-old woman accused him of rape, kidnapping and criminal intimidation.

According to police, the FIR names Mr. Kulkarni and his associate Arjun as accused.

According to the complaint, the woman is a social worker who first met the MLA in 2022. The MLA reportedly got her phone number from a farmer and started calling her, sometimes late at night. After several months, he allegedly made a video call naked and urged her to visit his house in Hebbal in Bengaluru. The woman claimed that when she refused, a group of hooligans allegedly threatened her with serious consequences if she did not comply.

On August 24, 2022, Mr. Kulkarni allegedly drove Hebbal’s wife to a remote area near Kempegowda International Airport and sexually assaulted her. She further alleged that the MLA threatened her to remain silent and promised to take care of her and also help her grow in politics.

Police have registered a case under sections 506, 504, 201, 366, 376, 323 and 354 of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the IT Act. Further investigations are underway.

Meanwhile, Mr Kulkarni has lodged a complaint against Rakesh Shetty, the managing director of a Kannada news channel, accusing him of airing “fake news” after the MLA refused to pay ₹2 crore as part of an alleged extortion scheme.

Mr. Kulkarni lodged the complaint at Sanjaynagar police station on October 8 demanding action against the accused. He alleged that Mr Shetty and a woman who had earlier posed as a farmer activist were plotting.