Why is BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraju Being Questioned in a Rowdy Sheeter Murder Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Byrathi Basavaraju is under investigation for his alleged role in a murder case.
- The main suspect, Jagadish, has fled to Dubai.
- The police are actively pursuing leads and have arrested 11 individuals so far.
- The victim's mother has claimed she did not name Basavaraju in her complaint.
- The case has raised significant political tensions within Karnataka.
Bengaluru, July 23 (NationPress) Karnataka BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraju, identified as the fifth suspect in a murder case involving a rowdy sheeter, presented himself to the police in Bengaluru on Wednesday for a second session of questioning.
This situation has attracted attention as sources indicate that police have uncovered connections between the primary suspect, Jagadish, and the BJP MLA.
Basavaraju had previously approached the High Court to challenge the FIR lodged against him, but the court denied him any protection from arrest and instructed him to assist with the ongoing investigation.
He had previously appeared before the police last Saturday, where he was interrogated for over three hours.
According to police sources, the principal suspect, Jagadish alias Jagga, remains at large. Investigations have indicated that he deactivated his mobile phone on the day of the murder, drove out of Bengaluru, reached Chennai, and subsequently flew to Dubai. A police team from Bengaluru is currently heading to Dubai to gather further information.
The authorities have already obtained vital information from the immigration department and suspect that Jagadish might be hiding in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah. A lookout notice is being discussed, awaiting approval from higher officials.
To date, 11 individuals have been detained in connection with the murder case.
Byrathi Basavaraj represents the K.R. Puram Assembly constituency in Bengaluru. He was formerly allied with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah before transitioning to the BJP through “Operation Lotus.” His younger brother, Byrathi Suresh, currently serves as a close aide to CM Siddaramaiah and is the Minister for Urban Development and Town Planning.
Basavaraj has been charged with murder and has been named as the fifth accused in the killing of Shivaprakash alias Biklu Shiva, who was brutally murdered outside his home on the evening of July 15.
The Bharatinagar police in Bengaluru have filed an FIR against the MLA based on a complaint from the victim’s mother, Vijayalaxmi.
The case took an unexpected turn when the victim's mother claimed she never implicated the MLA in her police complaint.
In a statement to the media last Thursday, Vijayalaxmi said, “I have not filed any complaint against BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj. I did not name any suspects. I was overwhelmed and distressed following my son’s murder. The police added his name on their own.”
The Karnataka BJP has strongly condemned the police actions targeting Byrathi Basavaraj in relation to the murder. BJP State President, B.Y. Vijayendra, accused the Congress of attempting to undermine one of the prominent leaders from the backward classes of the BJP.
“Despite his clarifications regarding his innocence and the deceased mother's confirmation that she did not name MLA Byrathi Basavaraj, the Congress government continues its conspiracy against him,” Vijayendra stated.
In response to the BJP's allegations, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara clarified that there is no political motivation behind the police's actions against MLA Byrathi Basavaraj.