SC refuses anticipatory bail to BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Feb 12, 2026: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain an anticipatory bail petition of Karnataka BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj in connection with the Biklu Shiva murder case.

A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi suggested that the legislator move a plea for regular bail instead.

The CJI said that the legislator should show the courage to face trial.

"Since you are a public servant, you should be courageous enough and face the trial," he said, according to Bar and Bench.

"We would have granted you anticipatory bail, but you have taken an evasive stand that you don’t know him (a prime accused in the case) at all. Your (call records) shows otherwise," Justice Bagchi added.

Basavaraj is among those accused in the murder of a rowdy-sheeter named Shivaprakash, also known as Biklu Shiva, who was killed in front of his residence by several assailants on July 15, 2025 amid a land dispute.

CID steps up search

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has stepped up its search Basavaraj. The development comes after the Karnataka High Court rejected Basavaraj’s anticipatory bail plea.