K'taka MLA arrested in murder case, claims he was framed
BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj was arrested by Karnataka's CID on Thursday, February 12, 2026, right after landing at Bengaluru airport.
He's accused of being involved in the murder of realtor V G Shivaprakash (aka Biklu Shiva), who was killed last July outside his home—allegedly over a land dispute.
The case has gained attention because Basavaraj is a sitting politician and the crime itself was especially violent.
Basavaraj's health issues and bail denial details
CID says they have strong evidence against Basavaraj, like call records and photos tying him to other suspects at Kumbh Mela last year.
After his arrest, he appeared before a special court following a medical checkup; he also reported chest pain and was sent for further evaluation.
Courts have denied him anticipatory bail due to concerns about his influence and possible evidence tampering.
Now, CID is pushing for police custody, saying he misled the court and contacted others involved—the next hearing is set for Saturday along with his health reports.