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.
Two arrested in K'taka for assaulting minors, uploading CSAM content
Bengaluru (PTI): Two men were arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting two minor girls, recording the acts on mobile phones and uploading the videos online as child sexual abuse material, police said on Thursday.
The accused have been identified as Kiran Kumar (29), hailing from Chitradurga district, and Aditya M K (20), hailing from Shivamogga district, they said.
A probe was initiated after information was received from the NCRP portal regarding a suspected instance of creation of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) for online dissemination, police said.
Accordingly, a case was registered at Kaggalipura Police Station under relevant sections of the IT Act on May 10, they added.
Investigation revealed that two minor girl victims were exploited and videos were created and uploaded to the internet. The child victims have subsequently recorded their statements as per procedure and further necessary legal steps have been taken, Pronab Mohanty Director General of Police, Cyber Command, said in a statement.
Based on the statements of the victims, the accused persons, who allegedly assaulted the minors, recorded the acts on mobile phones and uploaded the videos online, were arrested, he said.
Following the probe, sections 65(2) (rape) and 70 (gangrape) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant sections of the POCSO Act, have been added to the FIR, police said.
Officials collected relevant information and on May 12, arrested the accused persons and seized three mobile phones belonging to them, in which the videos had allegedly been recorded, he said.
The accused were later produced before the court and taken into police custody for further investigation, he added.
According to him, in CSAM cases, police usually apprehend offenders who have downloaded such content or have kept them in their possession after obtaining them from elsewhere, usually the internet.
"The present case is one of the very few instances where content creators and uploaders have been apprehended," Mohanty added.
