Karnataka: Cong MLA gets life sentence in BJP leader murder case

A Bengaluru court on Friday sentenced Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni to life imprisonment in a BJP leader Yogeshgouda Goudar, Dharwad Zilla Panchayat member murder case. The court also sentenced 16 others convicted in connection with the case to life imprisonment. On Wednesday, Santhosh Gajanan Bhat, the Judge of the Special Court for cases involving elected representatives, convicted Kulkarni and others under IPC sections, including criminal conspiracy and murder.
Yogeshgouda was hacked to death in June 2016 at his gym in Dharwad, 400km north of Bengaluru. Assistant Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for CBI, urged the court to award not less than unpardonable life imprisonment to all the convicts, taking into account the brutality of the crime and misuse of police and the entire system. "Fake assailants were created and investigating agencies were misled with an intention to bury the case. Being an elected representative Vinay misused his position to influence police officers. Efforts were made to buy witnesses. It is only after the CBI took over the case, the conspiracy in the case came to light. Since it is a well thought out and planned out murder, all convicts should be given life imprisonment," he had argued.
Vinay's advocate M S Shyamasundar requested the court to hand out minimum punishment to Vinay claiming latter had been framed in the case for political reasons. "Vinay is politician who has earned the confidence and trust of his voters. He has won the election without even visiting his constituency. People of his constituency need him," he had said.
According to Bar and Bench, the CBI investigated the case and filed a chargesheet for offences of criminal conspiracy, murder, public servant disobeying law to shield an accused, destruction of evidence, unlawful assembly and rioting with deadly weapons, illegal possession and trafficking of arms and public servant's misconduct for undue gain. Kulkarni was arrested by the CBI on November 5, 2020. On August 11, 2021, the Supreme Court granted him conditional bail. However, on June 7, 2025, the Supreme Court cancelled his bail, observing that there was credible evidence of his attempting to contact or influence witnesses during the trial. Charges were framed against the accused on May 26, 2023.

(State Correspondent)