Archive · 15 Nov 2025
Karnataka MLA Traveled to Kumbh with Murder Accused on Same Flight Ticket
A politician in India, Byrathi Basavaraj, is in trouble because it looks like he traveled with someone accused of murder.
The police found out they were on the same flight to a big religious festival called Kumbh Mela, using the same ticket number.
The politician had said he didn't know the accused very well and only met him by chance.
But the police have found pictures and travel records that suggest they are closer than he claims.
This happened after a real estate person was murdered, and the politician was named as an accused.
The police are also looking into whether other police officers helped cover up the crime or ignored earlier warnings.
The politician is trying to fight the serious charges against him in court.
Karnataka MLA Byrathi Basavaraj allegedly traveled to the Kumbh Mela with Jagadish alias Jaga, a main accused in a murder case, on a flight with the same PNR.
The MLA had claimed he had no links to the accused and had met him accidentally at the event.
The murder victim, V G Shivaprakash, was a real estate operator killed in Bengaluru over a property dispute.
The CID has collected evidence, including travel data and social media photos, indicating a close association between the MLA and the accused.
The investigation is also examining the role of Bengaluru police officers regarding alleged lapses in handling previous complaints by the deceased.
- Who
- Karnataka BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj and accused Jagadish alias Jaga.
- What
- Traveled to the Kumbh Mela on a flight with the same PNR number, despite MLA's claims of no links to the main accused in a murder case.
- When
- The flight to Kumbh was in February; the murder occurred on July 15; the CID informed the High Court on a Friday.
- Where
- Bengaluru and Prayagraj (Kumbh Mela).
- Why
- The travel together with the murder accused is being investigated as evidence of a close association, contradicting the MLA's claims of limited involvement in the murder of V G Shivaprakash, allegedly over a property dispute.
MLAs Defense
CID Investigation
Association with Accused
MLAs Defense
Byrathi Basavaraj claims only a limited association as a public representative with the key accused, Jagadish alias Jaga.
CID Investigation
The investigation found evidence of Basavaraj and Jaga traveling on the same flight with the same PNR number to Prayagraj for the Kumbh Mela, and also pictures of their association.
Previous Complaints by Deceased
MLAs Defense
(Implicitly, by claiming accidental meeting and limited association, the defense implies no prior knowledge or involvement in malicious intent.)
CID Investigation
The deceased, V G Shivaprakash, had filed complaints of threats to his life, but local police did not take action and instead instituted bond violation proceedings against the victim. Basavaraj's henchmen allegedly threatened the victim regarding a property dispute.
- MLA
- Byrathi Basavaraj
- Deceased
- V G Shivaprakash alias Bikla Shiva
- Main Accused
- Jagadish alias Jaga
- Event
- Murder of V G Shivaprakash
- Date of Murder
- July 15
- Location of Murder
- Bengaluru
- MLA's Travel Companion
- Jagadish alias Jaga
- Travel Destination
- Prayagraj (Kumbh Mela)
- Travel Date
- February