Bengaluru, July 28 -- The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has officially taken over the investigation into the murder of 40-year-old Shivakumar alias Biklu Shiva, with Bharathi Nagar BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj named as one of the accused, officials familiar with the development said on Sunday.

The case, which has triggered allegations of political involvement and police lapses, was transferred to the CID on the orders of director general of police (DGP) MA Saleem, officials said.

Shiva, alleged to be a criminal, was killed on July 15 near his home on Meanee Avenue Road in east Bengaluru's Bharathinagar. He was hacked to death by eight assailants armed with sharp weapons, who arrived in a Scorpio SUV and a two-wheeler. Days after ...