In a significant development in the brutal murder case of Bengaluru realtor and rowdy-sheeter Shivaprakash alias Biklu Shivu, two additional suspects, Arun alias Temu and Naveen, were arrested on July 21, 2025, bringing the total number of individuals in custody to seven, police confirmed. The arrests intensify scrutiny in a case where BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj is also named as an accused.
The murder, which occurred on July 15, 2025, in Bharathi Nagar, saw Shivaprakash, aged 40, hacked to death by a group of assailants. The two newly arrested locals, Arun and Naveen, allegedly played key roles in the crime. A senior police officer stated, "The accused duo have been arrested and produced before the court, securing 14 days of police custody." Another suspect, R D Anil, is under questioning for allegedly providing the vehicle used in the attack.
Five others—Jagadish, Kiran, Vimal, Anil, and Fredrick—were previously arrested, with a Bengaluru court granting 10-day custody on July 17. The case, linked to a property dispute in Kithaganur village, has drawn attention due to the involvement of Byrathi Basavaraj, the K R Puram MLA and former Karnataka minister, named as accused number five in the FIR.
Also Read: Biklu Shivu Shocker: BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj Faces Intense Questioning in Bengaluru
Basavaraj, questioned for over three hours on July 19 following a Karnataka High Court directive, denies any involvement, labeling the accusations "politically motivated." He has moved to quash the FIR, claiming it lacks merit. Notably, Vijayalakshmi, the victim’s mother, alleged she did not name Basavaraj in her initial complaint, suggesting police independently included him, raising questions about the FIR’s validity. The prosecution, however, argued that Basavaraj may have influenced her within 24 hours of the murder to evade legal consequences.
The High Court has granted Basavaraj temporary relief, restraining police from arresting him until July 21, with further questioning scheduled for July 23. As investigations continue, the case underscores tensions over land disputes and political influence in Bengaluru’s real estate sector.
Also Read: Biklu Shivu Shocker: BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj Faces Intense Questioning in Bengaluru