Today, On 12th February, The Supreme Court rejected BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj’s anticipatory bail plea in the Biklu Shiva murder case, asking him to pursue regular bail. CJI Surya Kant told him, “As a public servant, be courageous and face the trial.”
The Supreme Court refused to consider an anticipatory bail plea submitted by BJP Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Byrathi Basavaraj regarding the murder case of Biklu Shiva.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi advised the legislator to apply for regular bail instead.
CJI Kant remarked,
“Since you are a public servant, you should be courageous enough and face the trial.”
He noted that while they might have granted anticipatory bail, Basavaraj’s evasive stance stating he did not know a key suspect contradicted his call records, which indicate otherwise.
CJI Kant observed,
“Chain of events is like this. Accused goes to a site where two groups want to get the property…he (the deceased) is gunned down in front of his mother. Now, the call record shows you (Basavaraj) are in touch with Jagdish, who used the gun and then fled to Sri Lanka.”
The Court clarified that it would not entertain the MLA’s request for pre-arrest bail and stated,
“Plea not entertained with liberty to apply for regular bail.”
Representing the State of Karnataka, Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra urged the Court to detain Basavaraj in police custody, saying,
“Let him be in police custody.”
To this, Justice Bagchi replied,
“Apply for that. We are not saying no.”
His counsel, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, argued that there was no relationship between Basavaraj and the main accused, asserting,
“He does not even know Jagdish.”
Basavaraj is named as the fifth accused in the murder of Shivaprakash, also known as Biklu Shiva, who was shot dead outside his home on July 15, 2025, amid a land dispute.
Allegations suggest that Basavaraj was in contact with the main suspect, Jagadish, who reportedly met Shiva multiple times prior to the latter’s murder.
Interestingly, during the investigation, Shiva’s mother stated she had not included Basavaraj in her complaint and was confused about his indictment.
Nevertheless, investigation officials confirmed connections between the MLA and the other accused.
Earlier, On February 10, the Karnataka High Court had denied Basavaraj’s plea for anticipatory bail, prompting him to seek relief from the Supreme Court due to an impending arrest.
Case Title: BA Basavaraja v. State Of Karnataka