Fri Dec 26 15:51:51 UTC 2025: News Article:

Karnataka High Court Grants Interim Bail to MLA Byrathi Basavaraj in “Biklu” Shiva Murder Case

Bengaluru, December 26, 2025 – In a significant development, the High Court of Karnataka has granted interim anticipatory bail to Byrathi Basavaraj, MLA for K.R. Puram, in connection with the murder of rowdy-sheeter-cum-realtor V.G. Shivaprakash, also known as “Biklu” Shiva.

Vacation Judge G.A. Basavaraja issued the interim order on Friday, overturning a previous rejection of the MLA’s anticipatory bail plea by the sessions court. The court ordered Basavaraj’s release upon the submission of a personal bond of ₹5 lakh and two sureties of the same amount. The MLA has been directed to cooperate with the ongoing investigation and refrain from tampering with evidence or witnesses.

The High Court noted that Basavaraj had previously been granted interim protection from arrest until December 19 and that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), leading the investigation, has not yet filed a charge sheet against him or presented collected evidence before the court.

The interim bail will remain in effect until the court considers a plea for regular anticipatory bail, the hearing for which has been adjourned until January 6.

The case has seen several twists, including the initial invocation of the Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOCA) against the MLA, which was later quashed by the High Court. The Special Court of Sessions for criminal cases against present and former MPs and MLAs had previously cited the possibility of custodial interrogation as a reason to deny anticipatory bail before the KCOCA was quashed.

The MLA’s legal team emphasized that Basavaraj, listed as accused number 5, had twice appeared for questioning and cooperated with the police before the case was transferred to the CID. They further pointed out that the CID had not summoned him for questioning since taking over the investigation, despite no legal impediment to doing so. While the CID has filed a charge sheet against 18 of the 20 accused, they have requested more time to complete the investigation concerning the MLA and another individual.

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