BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj, who was jailed in connection with the murder of Biklu Shiva, a rowdy sheeter, has been granted conditional bail by the Special Court for People’s Representatives in Bengaluru. Basavaraj, representing the K.R. Puram Assembly constituency, had been in judicial custody since his arrest in a case that garnered significant attention in Karnataka.
The court has instructed Basavaraj to furnish a bond of Rs 2 lakh along with two sureties. Additionally, he has been prohibited from tampering with evidence, influencing witnesses, or leaving the court’s jurisdiction without prior authorization. The case sparked a political uproar following allegations linking the MLA to the incident.
Basavaraj, identified as the fifth accused in the murder of Shivaprakash, also known as Biklu Shiva, who was fatally attacked outside his residence in Halasuru, Bengaluru, on July 15 last year, was arrested after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the Karnataka High Court and the Supreme Court refused to intervene.
The Bharatinagar police initiated legal proceedings against Basavaraj based on a complaint lodged by the victim’s mother, who later disclaimed naming the MLA and expressed ignorance about his inclusion in the FIR. According to investigators, Basavaraj had direct connections with the main accused, rowdy Jagadeesh alias Jagga, and had encountered the victim on multiple occasions before the crime.
The BJP has raised allegations of political vendetta, accusing the Congress-led government of targeting Basavaraj. State BJP president B. Y. Vijayendra visited the MLA’s residence, emphasizing Basavaraj’s significant contributions to the party post his departure from the Congress and claiming that he was falsely embroiled in the case.
