Karnataka High Court Extends Crucial Stay on Coercive Action Against BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj in Bengaluru Murder Probe

In a significant development for a high-profile case, the Karnataka High Court has once again extended its interim order, preventing any coercive action, including arrest, against BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj. Basavaraj is accused number one in the murder case of Bengaluru-based real estate operator P Pradeep, who was found dead in January 2024.

Justice M Nagaprasanna presided over the hearing and granted the extension, continuing the protective measure initially put in place earlier this year.

The next hearing for the case has been scheduled for November 2024, allowing the state public prosecutor additional time to file objections to Basavaraj's petition.

The interim stay was originally issued on January 29 by Justice S Rachaiah and has since been repeatedly extended. This judicial intervention means that police authorities are currently barred from taking any forceful measures against the MLA while the petition challenging the FIR remains under review.

Counsel for Basavaraj argued vehemently that the First Information Report (FIR) naming the MLA was politically motivated and lacked substantive evidence connecting him to Pradeep's death.

They emphasized that there was no material to support the allegations, urging the court to consider the baseless nature of the accusations. Furthermore, the defence cited the Supreme Court's guidelines from the Arnesh Kumar vs State of Bihar case, which outlines specific procedures for arrests in cases where the maximum punishment is less than seven years imprisonment, reinforcing their plea against immediate coercive action.

The tragic incident unfolded in January 2024 when P Pradeep was discovered deceased in his car near Kaggalipura, Bengaluru, with a gunshot wound to his head.

Following his death, Pradeep's family members came forward, alleging that financial disputes between Pradeep and Basavaraj were a crucial factor leading to the unfortunate event. The investigation has also implicated Rakesh, an aide to Basavaraj, who was reportedly with Pradeep just before his demise.

The extended stay highlights the ongoing legal complexities and the cautious approach of the judiciary in cases involving prominent public figures.

As the investigation progresses and the court awaits further submissions, the legal battle is set to continue, drawing considerable public and political attention.