Bengaluru: BJP MLA Named as Accused in Murder Case

Byrathi Basavaraj is accused of abetment to the murder of Shivaprakash. It is said, the deceased Shivaprakash had written a letter to the Bengaluru Commissioner of Police in February this year stating he faced 'threat from Byrathi Basavaraj.'

However, the BJP MLA, representing Krishnaraja Puram Assembly seat in Bengaluru city, denied his role in the alleged murder of the rowdy-sheeter and stated “I’m in no way connected with the murder.” Basavaraj said he didn't know Shivaprakash nor the accused persons mentioned in the FIR.

Taking exception to the FIR against him, Byrathi Basavaraj suspected ‘political conspiracy’ against him to ‘malign his image in public.’ Basavaraj said, “Prior to registering an FIR, the police should have verified with me.”

The First Information Report (FIR) registered at Bharati Nagar police station names Byrathi Basavaraj as the fifth accused along with prime accused Jagadeesh, Kiran, Vimal and Anil. The FIR against BJP MLA and others has been registered based on a complaint from deceased Shivaprakash’s mother.

The assailants came in a car and attacked Shivaprakash with machetes and fled from the scene. Initial, post-mortem report stated Shivaprakash sustained as many as 20 injuries in his head alone. Though, police are to ascertain the motive behind the murder of Shivaprakash but sources attributed the murder to be over land dispute at Bidarahalli in Bengaluru city.

The deceased had 11 criminal cases against him in Bharathi Nagar police station. After Shivaprakash came under attack from the assailants, he sustained severe head injuries. Besides, multiple injuries in his body were noticed at the time of post-mortem conducted at Bowing Hospital in Bengaluru city. Investigations are underway.