The Karnataka High Court has issued a notice to BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj following a petition filed by the State government seeking the cancellation of his bail in a high-profile murder case. A single-judge Bench of Justice S. Sunil Dutt Yadav heard the State's plea, which argues that the trial court's decision to grant the KR Pura legislator relief was based on an improper assessment of the evidence and failed to consider his influential position.
The case pertains to the brutal murder of a realtor and rowdy-sheeter, V.G. Shivaprakash alias Biklu Shiva, who was hacked to death in front of his mother in July 2025 in East Bengaluru. Basavaraj has been named as the fifth accused (A5) in the chargesheet filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The prosecution alleges that the murder was the result of a deep-seated real estate dispute and that the MLA was in constant contact with the prime accused, another rowdy-sheeter named Jagadish.
The State's Additional Public Prosecutor, BN Jagadish, contended that the trial court overlooked critical "Call Detail Records" (CDRs) and photographic evidence demonstrating a close nexus between Basavaraj and the assailants. Specifically, the prosecution pointed to a trip to the Kumbh Mela where the MLA and the prime accused allegedly traveled together, directly contradicting Basavaraj’s initial claims that he did not know the conspirators. The State argues that such a high-profile individual could easily hamper the ongoing investigation or influence witnesses if left at large.
Earlier in February 2026, Basavaraj faced a series of legal setbacks when both the Karnataka High Court and the Supreme Court rejected his anticipatory bail pleas. The courts had observed at the time that the interrogation of a "powerful and highly influential" accused might not be effective if they were armed with pre-arrest protection. Following these rejections, Basavaraj was arrested at the Kempegowda International Airport and sent to judicial custody, before eventually securing regular bail from a special trial court.
The current challenge by the State seeks to reverse that trial court order. The government maintains that the "gravity of the offense" and the "professional nature" of the hit on Biklu Shiva necessitate the MLA's continued incarceration. The petition highlights that the deceased's mother, who was an eyewitness to the crime, resides within Basavaraj’s own constituency, creating a "palpable fear" that could lead to witness hostility—a concern the High Court had previously noted during the anticipatory bail stage.
On the other hand, Basavaraj’s defense has consistently maintained that the case is a product of "political malice" orchestrated by the ruling party. They argue that the MLA has cooperated with the CID's investigation and that his medical condition—including a history of heart issues—makes him a fit candidate for bail. The defense further points out that the deceased’s mother had at one point claimed she did not know how the MLA's name was included in the FIR, though the police dismissed this as a result of external pressure.
The High Court has now posted the matter for further consideration on April 16, 2026, directing Basavaraj to file his formal response to the State's allegations. This legal battle is being closely watched as it touches upon the sensitive intersection of real estate interests, political power, and organized crime in Bengaluru. The outcome will determine whether the influential MLA returns to prison or continues to represent his constituency while the trial proceeds.