Minister Munirathna to file Rs 50-crore defamation case against contractors' body over graft charge
Bengaluru, Aug 25: Karnataka Horticulture Minister Munirathna on Thursday said he would be filing a Rs 50-crore defamation case and a criminal defamation case against the Karnataka State Contractors' Association, which has made a 40 per cent commission charge against the government and accused him of collecting money.
The Minister, who is in-charge of Kolar district, gave a 7-day ultimatum to the association to provide evidence either before the media or to Lokayukta else apologise through a press release.
He said the case would be filed before the Special Courts for People's Representatives after the seventh day.
"With deep pain, as someone who was a contractor myself, a situation has come for me to file a defamation case against a contractors' association of which I was a member. If left without taking action, it will send a wrong message to the people of the State," Munirathna said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said not wanting a wrong message to go to people, he is filing the defamation case against the Karnataka State Contractors' Association and all its office-bearers.
"They have to come before the court and give evidence that this government is asking a 40 per cent commission and get themselves relieved of the defamation case. In case, they are unable to provide evidence to the court, the law will take its course," he said, adding, "If we have committed a mistake let us be punished, but defaming with allegations cannot be let gone."
Munirathna said instead of writing letters for the sake of publicity, evidence and documents should be provided to prove the allegations at the earliest, and expose the errant Ministers, officials and politicians.
"A complaint should be filed before Lokayukta in seven days, in case there is no evidence to file a complaint before Lokayukta or release it before the media, they should issue a press release seeking apology for the allegations made on Wednesday," he said.
"In case, it is not done after seven days, we will file two cases - Rs 50 crore defamation and criminal defamation, not only against Kempanna (association president) alone but the whole association," he added, as he termed the allegations as politically motivated, as the charges were made as per the "guidance" of the Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah.
Kempanna on Wednesday accused a district in-charge Minister, without mentioning names, of threatening officials to collect and get the money.
To a query on the district in-charge Minister he referred to, Kempanna had said, it is Kolar district in-charge Minister (without taking Munirathna name), who has threatened to suspend the executive engineer if money is not collected and given. "He is asking officials to collect and get the money."
"He (Minister) also has threatened to check the three-year-old work with machinery, when no payment has been done for the work for the last three years. He himself was a contractor, and got work done in R R Nagar (his constituency) for Rs 10,000 crore in two terms. What improvement has R R Nagar made?" he had asked.
The contractors' association today renewed its 40 per cent commission charge and said it would continue its fight demanding an independent judicial inquiry.
An association delegation, led by its president D Kempanna, met Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Siddaramaiah and later alleged that the whole system was corrupt. Earlier, the State Cabinet condemned the allegations of commission made by the contractors association, calling it 'baseless' and asked it to prove with evidence.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who termed the allegations as "nothing but politically motivated", hit out at the Congress, which along with the association is demanding a judicial probe.
"I demand details and evidence for allegations made; if given, will an order inquiry in 24 hours", Bommai said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Agra: Karni Sena holds armed rally against Samajwadi Party’s MP, police stand down
Agra: An armed rally by Karni Sena has sparked serious concerns over law enforcement and public safety, in Agra on Friday, openly brandishing swords and sticks while raising provocative slogans against Samajwadi Party MP Dr. Ramji Lal Suman. The rally, held to mark the birth anniversary of Rajput icon Rana Sanga, witnessed the participation of thousands of Karni Sena members, many of whom were seen carrying weapons in the presence of the police.
Despite the large police deployment, including PAC personnel and senior officers such as the Additional Commissioner, no preventive or punitive action was taken by law enforcement authorities as the rally progressed. Visuals that have now gone viral on social media show rally participants waving swords, raising slogans, and even threatening prominent political figures, including former Chief Minister and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.
The rally was reportedly organized to press for action against Dr. Ramji Lal Suman, the SP MP from Agra, who had earlier made a remark citing historical sources that Rana Sanga had invited Mughal ruler Babar to India. Although Suman had publicly apologized for the remark and clarified that it was not intended to hurt anyone’s sentiments, the Karni Sena had reacted sharply, terming it an insult to Rajput pride.
On March 26, 2025, soon after Suman's statement, Karni Sena members had reportedly attacked the MP's residence in Agra. Stones were pelted, vehicles were vandalized, windows smashed, and even police personnel were injured during the violence. Despite the severity of the incident, no major crackdown followed. The April 12 rally has now reignited concerns about the administration's handling of the group.
The Karni Sena had publicly declared their intent to organize the rally irrespective of police permission. Their national president, Raj Shekhawat, had even stated that they would march toward Suman’s house if their demands were not met. In anticipation, Agra Police had increased security outside the MP’s residence, ordered an additional 1,200 helmets and 1,000 batons, deployed drones, and set up barricades in sensitive zones.
However, when the rally took place, the arrangements appeared insufficient and ineffective. Crowd control measures were not enforced, and police presence appeared symbolic rather than deterrent. According to reports, the participants ignored police warnings, waving weapons and sticks in full view of law enforcement, and shouting slogans against SP leaders.
In a particularly alarming development, a Karni Sena leader can be seen in a viral video threatening to kill SP chief Akhilesh Yadav. Despite this direct threat, there has been no confirmation from the police on any action taken against the speaker.
The silence of the administration during the rally, as well as in response to the earlier March 26 attack on the MP's house, has raised sharp criticism. Many political observers and citizens have questioned why such actions were tolerated and why the law was not enforced when the potential for violence was already known.
The Samajwadi Party has described these incidents as targeted attacks against the Dalit community and political intimidation. Akhilesh Yadav has alleged that Karni Sena operates with tacit support from the BJP, and that the threats and violence are being allowed under the current regime.
Social media users have also reacted strongly to the visuals of the rally. Several users questioned whether other groups—such as protesting farmers or students—would have been allowed to behave similarly without police action. Some commentators have called the event an open challenge to law and order in Uttar Pradesh, especially in light of the Supreme Court’s recent critical remarks on the deteriorating situation in the state.
