BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj gets bail in Biklu Shiva murder case

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Mar 13, 2026: A special court dealing with cases against MPs and MLAs on Thursday granted conditional bail to Byrathi Basavaraj, the BJP MLA from KR Puram, in connection with the murder of Shivaprakash alias Biklu Shiva.

Basavaraj, also known as B.A. Basavaraja, has been named accused number 5 in the case. He was arrested after the Karnataka High Court rejected his petition seeking anticipatory bail.

The special court allowed his bail application and ordered his release upon executing a personal bond of ₹2 lakh with two sureties for the same amount.

While granting bail, the judge imposed several conditions. Basavaraj has been directed not to threaten or tamper with prosecution witnesses and not to directly or indirectly attempt to influence any witness. He must appear before the investigating agency whenever required and fully cooperate with the investigation. The court also barred him from leaving the court’s jurisdiction or travelling abroad without prior written permission.

Additionally, Basavaraj has been instructed to appear before the investigating officer once a month on the second Sunday between 9 am and 5 pm, and mark his attendance for three months or until the filing of any additional complaint, whichever is earlier.

According to investigators, Shivakumar was murdered on Meanee Avenue Road in Bharathinagar on July 15, 2025. The case was transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on July 24. Later, on December 19, 2025, the Karnataka High Court quashed the order invoking provisions of the Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOCA) in the case.