Daniel George
Bengaluru
The Karnataka, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Saturday took over the investigation into the murder of 40-year-old history-sheeter Shivakumar alias Biklu Shiva, with BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj named as an accused. The probe was transferred on the orders of DGP Dr. M.A. Saleem, and a CID team led by DySP Umesh has been formed.
So far, 16 people have been arrested—five had surrendered. Among them are Kiran, Pradeep, Vimal Raj, Madan, Samuel, Arun, Naveen, Murugesh, Narasimha, Sudarshan, Avinash, Shivu, Prasad, Manoj, Patrick, and another Kiran. Rowdy sheets have been opened against nine by Bharathi Nagar Police. MLA Basavaraj has been questioned.
The main accused, Jagadish alias Jagga, is still at large. CCTV footage from a hotel in Ramamurthy Nagar shows him with co-accused hours before the murder. He was later seen fleeing the crime scene and leaving his Hennur apartment around 8:15 PM, 15 minutes after the attack. Police suspect he may have fled the country and have issued a lookout notice. Jagga, a known rowdy-sheeter, was recently removed from the list despite multiple cases in Indiranagar, JB Nagar, JP Nagar, and KR Puram.
Police have also served a notice to Hanumanthu, MLA Basavaraj’s personal assistant, naming him the fifth accused. He allegedly contacted others involved on the night of the murder.
Shivakumar was brutally attacked by eight men with sharp weapons near his home on Meanee Avenue Road on July 15. The attackers arrived in a Scorpio SUV and a two-wheeler.
In her complaint, Shivakumar’s mother claimed the murder was over a property dispute and alleged that the MLA instigated the attack. She said her son had obtained GPA in 2023 and received threats. MLA Basavaraj has denied the allegations and assured cooperation with the investigation.