Four days after a realtor-turned-rowdy was hacked to death, BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj, who has been named as an accused, appeared before the Bengaluru police for questioning on July 19.

Shivaprakash, alias Biklu Shiva, was murdered near his residence on Meanee Avenue Road at Bharathi Nagar on the night of July 15. Five suspects have been arrested after they surrendered to the police claiming responsibility for the murder while the prime accused is on the run.

K.R. Puram MLA Byrathi Basavaraj was named as accused number 5 in the First Information Report (FIR). The MLA appeared before Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Prakash Rathod, who is heading the investigation.

The police served him a notice to appear for questioning. Mr. Basavaraj appeared before the police based a direction by the High Court of Karnataka, which was hearing his plea challenging the FIR. The court directed him to co-operate with the investigation.

As per the FIR registered by the Bharathi Nagar police, the MLA is accused of instigating the accused who claimed to murdering Shivaprakash in connection with past rivalry and property-related disputes.