Karnataka Congress MLA Sentenced to Life for 2016 Murder of BJP Worker
A special court in Bengaluru has sentenced Karnataka Congress MLA and former minister Vinay Kulkarni to life imprisonment for the 2016 murder of BJP worker Yogesh Goudar. The verdict, based on a 623-page judgment, also imposed life sentences on 15 co-accused and seven years rigorous imprisonment on police inspector Chennakesava Tingarikar for obstructing justice. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which took over the probe in 2019, presented evidence showing Kulkarni hired gangs to execute the killing due to political rivalry. Key testimony came from approver Basavaraj Muttagi, who revealed that a separate group was paid to surrender falsely to mislead investigators. The court heavily criticized the Dharwad police for planting evidence and ignoring CCTV footage to protect the MLA, describing the case as a grim example of the criminalization of politics. The judge noted that law enforcement officers had colluded with the accused, undermining the integrity of the initial investigation. This high-profile verdict highlights deep-seated issues within the intersection of local politics and law enforcement in Karnataka, marking a significant legal development in a decade-old case involving prominent political figures.
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Karnataka Congress MLA Sentenced to Life for 2016 Murder of BJP Worker
A special court in Bengaluru has sentenced Karnataka Congress MLA and former minister Vinay Kulkarni to life imprisonment for the 2016 murder of BJP worker Yogesh Goudar. The verdict, based on a 623-page judgment, also imposed life sentences on 15 co-accused and seven years rigorous imprisonment on police inspector Chennakesava Tingarikar for obstructing justice. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which took over the probe in 2019, presented evidence showing Kulkarni hired gangs to execute the killing due to political rivalry. Key testimony came from approver Basavaraj Muttagi, who revealed that a separate group was paid to surrender falsely to mislead investigators. The court heavily criticized the Dharwad police for planting evidence and ignoring CCTV footage to protect the MLA, describing the case as a grim example of the criminalization of politics. The judge noted that law enforcement officers had colluded with the accused, undermining the integrity of the initial investigation. This high-profile verdict highlights deep-seated issues within the intersection of local politics and law enforcement in Karnataka, marking a significant legal development in a decade-old case involving prominent political figures.
The Indian Express