The Special Court for MLAs/MPs in Bengaluru has postponed the judgment in the murder case of BJP leader Yogesh Gowda to April 15. The case involves sitting Dharwad Rural Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni as an accused. The court will also decide the fate of 21 other individuals linked to the incident.
Today’s scheduled verdict was delayed as the court finalizes its decision. Both sides’ counsels have submitted extensive Supreme Court judgments related to the case. Vinay Kulkarni, along with other accused, attended the court proceedings.
Vinay Kulkarni, listed as accused number 15, had the case transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the state government. The incident occurred in 2016 when Yogesh Gowda was fatally attacked by a group of assailants in Dharwad city. The conflict arose from Gowda’s political challenge to Kulkarni.
Accused of tampering with witnesses, Vinay Kulkarni faced bail cancellation by the CBI for violating conditions. After surrendering to authorities, Kulkarni, currently serving as the Chairman of the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board, was released on bail again. The murder conspiracy allegations against Kulkarni emerged during his tenure as a Cabinet minister in the Siddaramaiah-led government.
The BJP highlighted Kulkarni’s case, promising his imprisonment if they won elections. Following Kulkarni’s arrest and subsequent bail, the case was transferred to the CBI. Kulkarni spent over nine months in jail before securing bail from the Supreme Court.
