A court in Karnataka has remanded BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj, who represents Bengaluru’s KR Puram constituency, to judicial custody until February 26 in connection with a murder case. Basavaraj was arrested for his alleged involvement in the murder of a man and was interrogated by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The 42nd Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Court issued the order, directing Basavaraj to be transferred to the Bengaluru Central Prison on the city’s outskirts.
Basavaraj, a suspect in the murder case of rowdy-sheeter Shivaprakash alias Biklu Shiva, was taken into custody upon his arrival at the Kempegowda International Airport after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the Karnataka High Court. Despite seeking relief from the Supreme Court, Basavaraj was not granted any reprieve. The BJP has raised concerns of political motives behind his arrest, alleging that the Karnataka government has targeted him unfairly.
BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra visited Basavaraj’s residence, asserting that the MLA played a crucial role in the BJP’s rise to power in Karnataka by switching from the Congress. Vijayendra highlighted alleged injustices faced by Basavaraj and his family in the past, claiming that Basavaraj is being falsely implicated in the current case. The murder of Biklu Shiva took place on July 15 last year in Bengaluru’s Halasuru area, leading investigators to gather significant evidence against Basavaraj.
CID sources have emphasized the need for Basavaraj’s custodial interrogation to delve deeper into the murder case and unveil potential broader conspiracies. Basavaraj faces murder charges and has been identified as the fifth accused in the killing of Biklu Shiva, who was brutally attacked in front of his residence. The Bharatinagar police in Bengaluru initiated an FIR against the BJP MLA following a complaint lodged by the victim’s mother. Despite initial discrepancies in the complaint, the police established Basavaraj’s connections with the primary suspect, rowdy Jagadeesh alias Jagga, and his frequent meetings with Biklu Shiva before the tragic incident.
