Bengaluru: Former minister and BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj faces imminent arrest in the sensational Biklu Shiva murder case after the High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea and vacated the stay on investigation.
His mobile switched off post-ruling, sparking a statewide CID manhunt with three special teams deployed. Last traced to Pune, Maharashtra, arrest looms any moment.
The gruesome murder unfolded on July 15, 2025, near Halasuru Lake in Bharathinagar police limits, where rowdy-sheeter Shivaprakash alias Biklu Shiva was hacked to death. Biklu’s mother implicated Byrathi, marking him as Accused No. 5.
Despite denying links to killers during two interrogations—”I have no connection; the accused are strangers”—CID probes uncovered evidence of contact and false statements. High Court, on Friday, canceled interim relief against coercive action and dismissed bail, adjourning to December 22.
Alerted, Byrathi vanished from Belagavi Winter Session, ditching his phone. CID scoured CCTV from his residences, travel routes, and toll plazas, pinpointing Pune location before signal cutoff. Searches extend to Goa and Maharashtra borders.
Byrathi’s evasion fuels suspicions amid damning CID findings: communication records tying him to assailants, contradicting denials. The case, transferred to CID, alleges orchestration in gang rivalry. Byrathi twice evaded summons; now, evasion compounds charges.
BJP circles buzz with damage control, while opposition demands custody. CID vows no escape, coordinating interstate. Belagavi session absence raises political heat pre-polls.
Biklu Shiva’s killing exposed underworld-politics nexus. Victim’s family welcomes court order, seeking justice. As teams raid associates, Byrathi’s fate hinges on surrender or capture. Probe intensifies, potentially unraveling more.
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