A chilling murder in Bengaluru has sparked a political storm after a BJP MLA and former minister was named in an FIR related to the brutal killing of a man with a criminal past. Shivakumar, also known as Biklu Shiva, was attacked and murdered outside his home near Halasuru Lake on Tuesday night.
According to reports, five unidentified men arrived in a car and viciously assaulted Shivu with sharp weapons while he was standing near his house. He suffered fatal injuries and died on the spot. The attackers fled immediately after the crime, prompting a swift response from senior police officials. Joint Commissioner of Police Ramesh Banoth and DCP D. Devaraj inspected the crime scene shortly afterward.
Shivu’s mother, Vijayalakshmi, later filed a police complaint, and a murder case was registered. The FIR includes the name of Byrathi Basavaraj, BJP MLA from Krishnarajapuram and a former minister in Karnataka. Basavaraj has been accused of abetting the murder.
Emerging details reveal that Shivu had earlier sought police protection from Basavaraj and his close aides. About three months before his death, Shivu had written to the Bengaluru Police Commissioner, alleging that the MLA, along with his aide Jagadish and nephew Kiran, was attempting to seize his real estate properties.
In the letter, Shivu claimed that he was being pressured to sell his land far below market value. He accused Jagadish — who reportedly had multiple criminal cases against him — of extortion and intimidation, and said the MLA used his political clout to have Jagadish’s name removed from the official history sheet.
“They have tried to extort money by threatening to file false cases against me, aiming to trap me in legal troubles and stall the development of my property,” Shivu had written. He further alleged that Basavaraj and his network were involved in widespread land grabbing in the Bengaluru East region, using both political leverage and illegal methods.
“Their activities include forcibly occupying land and using political influence to manipulate authorities and evade legal consequences. Complaints from landowners like me are routinely ignored,” the letter stated.
Shivu had clearly expressed fears for his life, requesting urgent police protection for himself and his family. In his letter, he directly named Byrathi Basavaraj, Jagadish (also known as Jagga), Kiran, and their associates as the primary threats.
“With folded hands, I request you to register an FIR against Sri. Byrathi Basavaraj, Sri. Jagadish @ Jagga, Sri. Kiran, and their goonda elements for criminal intimidation, extortion, land grabbing, criminal trespass, and conspiracy,” Shivu pleaded in his letter.
Following Shivu’s initial complaint, an FIR had indeed been registered against Jagadish. However, the case was later put on hold due to a court order.
The murder has now reignited concerns about political-criminal nexus and illegal land grabbing in Bengaluru, with demands growing for an impartial and high-level investigation into the matter.
