A Bengaluru trial court has granted bail to Bharatiya Janata Party legislator Byrathi Basavaraj in connection with the murder of Shivaprakash, widely known as Biklu Shiva. The case revolves around allegations that the MLA was part of a conspiracy behind the killing.
The order came from a special court in the city, which allowed Basavaraj’s bail plea after concluding that keeping him in custody was no longer necessary for investigation. The court directed the legislator to execute a personal bond of ₹2 lakh.
Strict conditions accompany the relief. Basavaraj has been instructed not to attempt to influence witnesses or intimidate anyone connected with the case. He has also been barred from leaving the country without prior permission and must report to the police once every month for the next three months.
The case stems from the killing of Shivaprakash, a rowdy-sheeter popularly called Biklu Shiva, who was attacked outside his residence on July 15, 2025. The murder is believed to have arisen from tensions linked to a land dispute. Investigators alleged that Basavaraj was part of a wider conspiracy behind the attack.
Authorities named the MLA as the fifth accused, claiming he had been in contact with another accused, Jagadish, who allegedly shared a long-standing rivalry with the victim. Both the deceased and Jagadish were said to be active in the real estate sector, where disputes had reportedly intensified.
Basavaraj was taken into custody earlier this year after the Supreme Court declined to grant him anticipatory bail. Following his arrest, he was remanded to judicial custody before seeking regular bail from the trial court.
While examining the material placed before it, the court observed that the evidence cited against the legislator appeared weak at this stage. It pointed out that statements made by co-accused persons are generally treated as fragile evidence and cannot independently establish guilt.
The court also addressed the prosecution’s reliance on call data records that allegedly showed communication between Basavaraj and Jagadish before the killing. According to the judge, such material would have to be scrutinized in detail during trial and could not be conclusively assessed during bail proceedings.
Another argument raised by investigators was that Basavaraj had not fully cooperated during questioning. The court dismissed this contention, noting that an accused person has the right to remain silent during interrogation and cannot be compelled to admit to any offence.
Finally, the court found no convincing basis to believe that the legislator would abscond if released. Observing that he has strong social roots and no previous criminal background cited in the case, the court concluded that the risk of flight was minimal and allowed his release on bail.
