FIR filed against BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj in brutal murder of Rowdy-Sheeter ‘Biklu Shiv’

Bengaluru

In a major development, an FIR has been registered against BJP MLA and former minister Byrathi Basavaraj and four others in connection with the gruesome murder of 44-year-old rowdy-sheeter Shivaprakash alias Biklu Shiv. The FIR was filed at Bharathinagar Police Station based on a complaint lodged by the victim’s mother, Vijayalakshmi.

The murder occurred on Tuesday night outside Shivaprakash’s residence on Meeni Avenue Road, near Halasuru Lake’s Hermit Colony. According to police, a group of 8-9 assailants arrived in a white Scorpio vehicle and attacked him with lethal weapons while he was speaking with his driver Imran Khan and friend Lokesh. The attack was so brutal that his skull was shattered and his face mutilated. The violence caused panic among bystanders who fled the scene.

Vijayalakshmi’s complaint attributes the murder to a land dispute in Kithaganur village, East Bengaluru. She alleged that Shivaprakash had purchased land in 2023 and held General Power of Attorney (GPA) rights. The property had a shed and two women employed as guards.

On February 11, a group allegedly led by accused Jagadish (A1), Kiran (A2), Vimal (A3), and Anil (A4) forcibly evicted the women and demanded Shivaprakash transfer GPA rights to Jagadish. A complaint was filed on February 21, but threats reportedly continued.

Vijayalakshmi directly accused Basavaraj of involvement, stating her son had frequently expressed fear of him and others. The FIR names Basavaraj as the fifth accused under IPC Sections 103 (conspiracy) and 190 (abetment of other crimes).

Responding to the FIR, Basavaraj denied any involvement, questioning the basis of the police action and hinting at political motives behind the allegations. He vowed to fight the matter legally.

Joint Commissioner of Police (East) B. Ramesh confirmed that five suspects have been detained. Shivaprakash had 11 criminal cases against him, and his rowdy sheet was opened in 2006. He had recently participated in a police rowdy parade.