BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj questioned for over three hours in rowdy-sheeter murder case
Bengaluru, Jul 19 (PTI): BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj, who is accused in the murder of a rowdy-sheeter-turned-realtor was on Saturday questioned for over three hours in connection with the case, police said.
Shivaprakash alias Biklu Shivu (40) was hacked to death at Bharathi Nagar in the city on Tuesday night, they said.
Five people have already been arrested in the case --- Jagadish, Kiran, Vimal, Anil and Fredrick, police said.
"The BJP MLA joined the investigation in connection with the murder case. He was questioned for over three hours. A detailed inquiry is underway based on which further action will be taken," a senior police officer said.
Speaking to reporters later, Basavaraj said, "I was called for an inquiry. I have cooperated. Police have told me that I will be called again. I will come again when I'm called and cooperate with the inquiry."
About the inquiry, he said, "I cannot say those things....I have told the investigating officer that I have no role. They have told me that I have to come once again on July 23 (Wednesday). I will come...."
Responding to a question, he said, "I don't know any Jagdish...."
Basavaraj joined the investigation following a direction issued by the Karnataka High Court on Friday asking the MLA to appear for questioning on July 19. He was also served a notice by the police in this regard.
The MLA, who has been named as the fifth accused in the First Information Report (FIR), has approached the court to quash the FIR, alleging that it was filed without merit.
Vijayalakshmi, the mother of the deceased, claimed she did not name Basavaraj in her initial complaint. She alleged that the police added his name independently, raising questions about the FIR's validity.
The prosecution, represented by Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) B A Belliyappa, had argued that Basavaraj may have influenced the complainant within 24 hours of the murder, potentially to leverage the court's orders for protection.
The HC has provided temporary relief to Basavaraj, restraining the police from arresting him until July 21.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bangladesh court sentences Sheikh Hasina to 10 years in jail in corruption cases
Dhaka (PTI): A Bangladesh court on Monday sentenced deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 10 years in jail in two separate corruption cases related to alleged irregularities in allocations of land in a government housing project.
Dhaka Special Judge’s Court-4 Judge Rabiul Alam handed down the verdicts, sentencing Hasina to a total of 10 years’ imprisonment — five years in each case, state-run BSS news agency reported.
The court sentenced 78-year-old Hasina, her nephew Radwan Mujib Siddiq, and her nieces, Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq, and others in the cases over alleged irregularities in the allocation of plots under the Rajuk New Town Project in Purbachol.
The judgment was pronounced at around 12.30 pm.
Tulip Siddiq was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment — two years in each case — while Radwan Mujib Siddiq and Azmina Siddiq were each sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment in both cases.
Rajuk member Mohammad Khurshid Alam, the only accused to surrender before the court, was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment in each case, totalling two years.
The court also fined all convicted persons Tk1 lakh each and ordered them to serve an additional six months in prison in default of payment.
Hasina has been living in India since she fled Bangladesh on August 5 last year in the face of the massive protests. She was earlier declared a fugitive by the court.
The cases were filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over alleged abuse of power in the allocation of two 10-katha plots.
According to the prosecution, the accused manipulated the allocation process and violated existing rules and regulations of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).
