Astrologer murder case triggers political war of words between B K Hari Prasad and S Suresh Kumar
Bengaluru: The sensational arrest of astrologer Kamalakar Bhat in a murder case has snowballed into a major political controversy in Karnataka, with senior Congress MLC B.K. Hariprasad and BJP MLA S. Suresh Kumar engaging in a bitter exchange of allegations on social media.
The controversy erupted after photos surfaced showing political leaders from both parties with the accused astrologer. Hariprasad first released a photograph of Kamalakar Bhat with BJP leader Suresh Kumar, questioning his association with a person now accused of a serious crime. In retaliation, Suresh Kumar posted a photograph of the same astrologer sitting next to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and asked whether the Chief Minister should also be held responsible.
ಕಾರವಾರದ ಸಿದ್ದಾಪುರದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಮಲಾಕರ್ ಭಟ್ ಹೆಸರಿನ ಜ್ಯೋತಿಷಿಯ ಅಕ್ರಮ ಸಂಬಂಧಕ್ಕೆ 41 ವರ್ಷದ ಅಮಾಯಕ ವಸಂತ್ ನಾಯ್ಕ್ ಬಲಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಈ ಕ್ರಿಮಿನಲ್ ಪ್ರಕರಣ ನ್ಯಾಯಯುತ ತನಿಖೆಯಾಗಿ, ನ್ಯಾಯಾಲಯ ತೀರ್ಪು ಕೊಡುತ್ತದೆ. ಆದರೆ, ಇಂತಹ ಪ್ರಕರಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಘಪರಿವಾರದ ಹಿನ್ನಲೆಯಿಂದ ಬಂದ ಬಿಜೆಪಿಯ @nimmasuresh, ಬಿಜೆಪಿಯ ರಾಜ್ಯಾಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ… pic.twitter.com/ne65sof2HX
— Hariprasad.B.K. (@HariprasadBK2) February 4, 2026
Kamalakar Bhat was recently arrested along with six others in connection with the murder of a 41-year-old man in Siddapur, Uttara Kannada district. Police investigations revealed that the astrologer was allegedly involved in an illicit relationship with a local woman, and when the matter came to light, a violent attack took place, leading to the murder. Seven people have been booked in the case and investigations are underway.
As the case gained media attention, political leaders began sharing photographs of Kamalakar Bhat with various public figures, turning the criminal case into a full-fledged political slugfest.
In a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter), B.K. Hariprasad accused BJP leaders of encouraging and promoting the accused astrologer. Sharing photographs of Suresh Kumar with Bhat, Hariprasad wrote, “An innocent man named Vasanth Naik lost his life because of the illegal relationship of astrologer Kamalakar Bhat. While the case will be investigated and justice delivered, the role of BJP leaders like Suresh Kumar and state president B.Y. Vijayendra in encouraging such a person must be questioned.”
Hariprasad further alleged that Suresh Kumar, despite being a former Law Minister, had promoted an individual involved in superstition and immoral activities. He also cited Article 51A(h) of the Indian Constitution, which calls upon citizens to develop a scientific temper and rational thinking, and accused the BJP leader of violating this constitutional spirit.
“By encouraging a person like Kamalakar Bhat, who exploited people’s blind beliefs, Suresh Kumar has indirectly contributed to such crimes. He must take moral responsibility for this murder,” Hariprasad alleged.
Hitting back sharply, Suresh Kumar dismissed the allegations as politically motivated and irresponsible. Posting a photograph of Kamalakar Bhat seated beside Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at a public event, the BJP leader asked, “Does this photo mean the Chief Minister is also involved in the murder case? Only a rotten mind can make such baseless allegations.”
In a detailed clarification, Suresh Kumar said he had met the astrologer only once many years ago at a petrol bunk in Yeshwanthpur and had no personal connection with him. “Just because someone took a photograph with me does not make me responsible for his private life or criminal actions,” he said.
He accused Hariprasad of displaying “intellectual bankruptcy” by dragging his name into a criminal case without any evidence. “Public representatives meet thousands of people. Holding me morally responsible for the crime committed by someone else is childish and absurd,” Suresh Kumar stated.
The BJP MLA also reminded Hariprasad that several Congress leaders had posed for photos with people who were later jailed, and asked whether they too had taken moral responsibility.
The political sparring has intensified even as police investigations into the murder case continue. The incident has once again highlighted how criminal cases in Karnataka often turn into political battlegrounds, with leaders using them to target opponents instead of allowing due legal process to take its course.
