Temporary relief for Byrathi Basavaraj from arrest in Biklu Shiva murder case

BENGALURU: Former minister Byrathi Basavaraj, who was facing arrest in the Biklu Shiva murder case, has received temporary relief as the High Court has granted him interim anticipatory bail.

The police had been preparing to arrest Byrathi Basavaraj after his petition was rejected by the Special Court for Elected Representatives. He then approached the High Court, where his application was heard on Friday.

Byrathi Basavaraj’s lawyer, Sandesh Chouta, argued that the police had filed a chargesheet, but it didn’t mention his client’s role. The complaint and FIR didn’t implicate Byrathi Basavaraj, he said.

Meanwhile, the government lawyer requested the High Court to postpone the trial, as SPP Jagadish has gone abroad. Continuing the argument, Basavaraj’s lawyer, Chauta said that attempts are being made to implicate him in the case for political reasons. An affidavit was submitted to the High Court on behalf of Byrathi Basavaraj stating that he has no role in the murder and that attempts are being made to arrest him after the case was transferred to the CID.

After hearing the arguments, the High Court granted interim anticipatory bail to Byrathi Basavaraj and said that if he is arrested, he should be released immediately. He also instructed Byrathi Basavaraj to cooperate with the investigation.

The High Court issued a notice to the CID police to file an objection and adjourned the hearing to January 6. On the other hand, the Special Court for People’s Representatives has dismissed the bail application of 18 accused, including A1 Jagadish alias Jagga, in the Biklu Shiva murder case.