Karnataka MLA Byrathi Basavaraj Secures Conditional Bail in Murder Case
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Bengaluru, March 12 (NationPress) BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj, who has been incarcerated in relation to the murder of rowdy sheeter Biklu Shiva, received conditional bail from the Special Court for People’s Representatives in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Basavaraj, who serves the K.R. Puram Assembly constituency, had been held in custody after his arrest in a case that attracted significant media coverage in Karnataka.
The court mandated him to post a bond of Rs 2 lakh along with two sureties. Additionally, he is prohibited from tampering with evidence, influencing witnesses, or departing from the court's jurisdiction without prior consent.
This case sparked considerable political uproar following allegations that linked the MLA to the murder incident. Basavaraj was taken into custody after the Karnataka High Court dismissed his plea for anticipatory bail, and the Supreme Court subsequently did not grant him relief.
He has been identified as the fifth accused in the murder of Shivaprakash, also known as Biklu Shiva, who was violently killed outside his home in Halasuru, Bengaluru, on July 15 of last year.
The Bharatinagar police lodged an FIR against Basavaraj based on a complaint from the victim’s mother, who later stated that she did not name the MLA and was unaware of how his name ended up in the FIR.
Authorities assert that further investigations have revealed Basavaraj’s purported connections to the primary accused, rowdy Jagadeesh, also known as Jagga.
Investigators allege that the MLA had direct interactions with Jagadeesh and had met the victim multiple times before the murder.
The BJP has accused the Congress-led administration of pursuing political vendetta against Basavaraj.
State BJP president B. Y. Vijayendra visited the MLA’s home, asserting that Basavaraj has been instrumental in fortifying the party following his defection from Congress. He further contended that Basavaraj has been wrongfully accused.