Karnataka legislator’s bail plea in murder case rejected

Bengaluru: The high court rejected a petition by BA Basavaraja, BJP MLA from KR Pura constituency, seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the July 15 murder of rowdy-sheeter Shivaprakash alias Biklu Shiva.On Aug 12, provisions of Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOKA) were invoked against the MLA, and the order was quashed on Dec 19. Basavaraja was arraigned as accused no. 5.
On Dec 26, 2025, a high court vacation bench granted him interim anticipatory bail. However, Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav Tuesday rejected the petition."The interrogation of powerful accused, such as the petitioner, who is highly influential, armed with an order of anticipatory bail, may not be as effective. The decision as to the manner of probe must be left with the investigation authority, and the court cannot sit in judgment over the same," the judge noted.Justice Dutt pointed to Supreme Court's observations in P Chidambaram vs Directorate of Enforcement case relating to the grant of anticipatory bail, wherein the top court specified that it is limited to exceptional cases.