CID seeks withdrawal of interim protection from arrest granted to MLA Byrathi Basavaraj
Bengaluru: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has urged the Karnataka High Court to revoke the interim protection from arrest granted to KR Puram MLA Byrathi Basavaraj (B.A. Basavaraj) in connection with the murder of rowdy-sheeter Shivaprakash alias Biklu Shiva.
The CID argued that there is a strong need to arrest and interrogate the legislator, who has been named as Accused No. 5 in the case registered at Bharathi Nagar Police Station.
During the hearing of the CID’s interim petition on Thursday, Justice Sunil Dutt Yadav presided over the proceedings. The CID requested the court to lift the interim stay that prevents Basavaraj’s arrest, which had been granted earlier while considering his plea to quash the FIR filed against him.
Additional State Public Prosecutor B.N. Jagadish, representing the CID, told the court that Basavaraj had provided false information during the investigation and that significant evidence has been collected linking him to the case. “We have gathered crucial material. His custodial interrogation is necessary. If the court later finds the evidence unsatisfactory, it may quash the case, but at this stage, his arrest is vital for investigation,” the prosecutor argued.
Defending Basavaraj, his counsel said the CID has invoked the Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOCA) in the case — a law applicable only to organised criminal activities. Under KCOCA, anticipatory bail is not permitted, the lawyer said. “If the interim protection is withdrawn, the MLA will lose the opportunity to seek anticipatory bail. The investigation is being carried out with political motives, and we are considering seeking a probe by an independent agency,” he submitted, urging the court to retain the interim order.
The bench orally observed that investigating agencies must be given the freedom to conduct independent probes. However, the court adjourned the matter to October 23 and extended the interim protection from arrest until then.
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Shivakumar opposes ‘One Nation One Election’, calls it ‘unworkable’
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday strongly opposed the central government’s proposed ‘One Nation One Election’ initiative.
Shivakumar expressed his views at a dialogue on ‘One Nation One Election’ organised by the Joint Parliamentary Study Committee.
He said the plan is a politically motivated, power-centralising scheme that would seriously damage India’s federal structure by weakening states and poses a threat to the democratic system, according to a statement from his office.
As KPCC president and deputy CM of Karnataka, he categorically rejected the proposal, stating that it is being crafted to suit the convenience of those in power at the Centre.
Shivakumar said that the Karnataka Legislative Assembly had already passed a resolution opposing ‘One Nation One Election’ and read out the resolution at the meeting.
He firmly stated that it is “not a workable plan” and added that it is “practically impossible.”
“If a government falls midterm due to political instability, a no-confidence motion, or loss of majority, what is the solution?” he asked.
“Elections are held at different times in different states for different terms. Karnataka had its election in 2023, while Tamil Nadu and Kerala had theirs in 2021, and Punjab and Telangana in 2022 and 2023, respectively. How can these elections with varying schedules be synchronised?” he asked.
He added that the proposal is a ploy to suppress the voices of regional and Opposition parties.
He also said the Karnataka government does not agree with the proposal and remains committed to the position of the Congress party’s national leadership.
