Supreme Court denies bail to BJP MLA Basavaraj; CID to arrest him from airport
India Today
The High Court had earlier rejected his plea, and investigators maintain that custodial interrogation is necessary. Basavaraj has been named as an accused in the July 15 murder case, which is being probed by the CID.
The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain the anticipatory bail plea of Karnataka BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj in connection with the July 15 murder of realtor-cum-rowdy sheeter Shivaprakash alias Biklu Shiva, dealing a major legal setback to the legislator. A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi underscored that as a public servant he should “be courageous enough” to face trial, and suggested he may instead seek regular bail once in custody.
Following the apex court order, Basavaraj, who was reportedly avoiding arrest in Gujarat after the High Court refused him anticipatory bail on February 10, is headed back to Bengaluru and is expected to land at Kempegowda International Airport this evening. A team of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officials has already reached the airport to take him into custody upon arrival.
The Supreme Court’s action follows the Karnataka High Court’s refusal to grant anticipatory bail to Basavaraj in the murder case, a move that discharged interim protection earlier ordered by a vacation bench. The High Court had noted that custodial interrogation might be hindered if protection was continued, given the serious nature of the offence and Basavaraj’s political influence.
The CID had also issued a lookout notice for Basavaraj after the High Court decision, aiming to prevent him from leaving the country while the probe continues.
Shivaprakash, popularly known as Biklu Shiva, was shot dead outside his residence in Bengaluru, allegedly over a property dispute. Basavaraj has been named as the fifth accused in the FIR registered by city police, with investigators claiming call detail records and other material link him to key suspects in the case.
During arguments before the Supreme Court, Basavaraj’s counsel maintained that his client had no connection to the prime accused, but the bench noted there were allegations of conspiracy and material suggesting links between him and other accused in the case.
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