A special court in Bengaluru has rejected the Special Investigation Team's closure report in the honey-trap and murder conspiracy case against BJP MLA Munirathna Naidu. The court has ordered the Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a fresh probe. The decision came on a protest petition filed by JD(S) leader M Narayanaswamy.
In a significant development, a special court for elected representatives in Bengaluru rejected the 'B report' submitted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on February 26 in the high-profile honey-trap and murder conspiracy case involving BJP MLA Munirathna Naidu from Rajarajeshwarinagar.
The case stems from a complaint filed in November 2024 by Janata Dal (Secular) functionary M Narayanaswamy, a resident of Laggere in Nandini Layout. Narayanaswamy alleged that Naidu and others, including three women, conspired to frame him and his wife Manjula in honey-trap cases and plotted to murder them. The matter was transferred to an SIT investigating allegations against Naidu and his associates.
On April 28, 2025, the SIT filed a 'B report', stating there was insufficient evidence to proceed. Narayanaswamy then submitted a protest petition to the special court. Judge K N Shivakumar, in his order, rejected the closure report and allowed the protest petition.
The judge noted that the investigating officer failed to consider earlier incidents mentioned in the complaint, which demonstrated Naidu's long-standing grudge and political vengeance against Narayanaswamy and his wife. These incidents, according to the court, provided the motive for the alleged honey-trap to destroy Narayanaswamy's political career.
The order stated: “The final ‘B’ report submitted by the investigation officer DySP SIT, CID, Bengaluru is rejected and the protest petition filed by the de facto complainant is allowed. In the light of observations made herein above, this court deems it just and proper to refer this matter for further investigation. Accordingly, this matter is referred to the head of SIT, CID, Bengaluru for investigation of the criminal cases against accused 1 (Munirathna), for further investigation.”
The court has scheduled the next hearing for March 30. This ruling maintains ongoing scrutiny on Naidu, who faces multiple criminal allegations.
