BENGALURU: Nearly seven months after a 40-year-old rowdy-sheeter was hacked to death near Ulsoor Lake here, CID on Thursday arrested KR Pura BJP legislator BA Basavaraja and an advocate identified as Ajit for their alleged role in the murder.The two were arrested at Kempegowda International Airport around 6.30 pm upon their arrival from Ahmedabad and were later brought under tight security to the CID headquarters on Palace Road here.“We will produce the two accused persons, Basavaraja, accused No. 5, and Ajit, accused No. 20, in court tomorrow,” a senior police officer said. Rowdy-sheeter Biklu Shiva was hacked to death by an armed gang on July 15.
Biz rivalry in real estate key reason for rowdy murder: CID
CID said business rivalry in the real estate sector was the primary motive.Based on a complaint filed by Shiva’s mother, police registered a case against several suspects, including Basavaraja , and later invoked provisions of Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act (KCOCA).Basavaraja challenged the invocation of KCOCA in the high court on Aug 12, and the court quashed the charge on Dec 19.A vacation bench subsequently granted him interim anticipatory bail on Dec 26. However, Tuesday, a bench rejected the anticipatory bail order, observing: “Interrogation of a powerful accused — such as the petitioner, who is highly influential and armed with an order of anticipatory bail — may not be as effective. A decision on the manner of probe must be left with the investigating authority, and the court cannot sit in judgment over the same.”
