CID begins hunt for Byrathi Basavaraj

After the High Court of Karnataka denied anticipatory bail to former Minister and MLA for K.R. Puram Byrathi Basavaraj in the realtor ‘Bikla’ Shiva murder case, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) formed multiple special teams and began a hunt for the legislator. At the time of going to print, the CID was yet to make a breakthrough on Tuesday night.

This is not the first time that the MLA has been absconding. In December, 2025, during the Winter Session of the legislature in Belagavi, the MLA went underground after the High Court while providing him relief from the Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act, 2000, asked him to approach the sessions court for anticipatory bail. During the intervening time, the CID was looking for him, but he remained elusive. The sessions court denied him anticipatory bail, which he challenged in the High Court, which gave him protection from arrest till final orders, which came out on Tuesday. 

CID sources said multiple teams were looking for the MLA both in Bengaluru and outside as well. It had questioned some of his associates to ascertain his location. 

Sources said that there were chances of the MLA approaching the Supreme Court challenging the High Court order and he might try to remain elusive till relief in the apex court.