Bengaluru: In a dramatic development that has sent ripples through Karnataka’s political landscape, Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni, along with 15 others, was on Friday sentenced to life imprisonment by a Bengaluru court in connection with the murder of BJP leader Yogesh Gowda Gowdar. The verdict, delivered by Special Court Judge Santosh Gajanan Bhat, follows a conviction earlier on Wednesday under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy and murder.
The ruling has sparked immediate controversy, with Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar vehemently claiming that Kulkarni is a victim of a “big conspiracy” orchestrated by the BJP.
The Bengaluru court pronounced the life sentences on Friday, culminating a legal battle over a murder that occurred nearly a decade ago. On Wednesday, Judge Santosh Gajanan Bhat had found Kulkarni and the co-accused guilty, setting the stage for the sentencing. The case, involving the prominent political figures, has been under intense scrutiny, highlighting deep-seated rivalries in the state.
Deputy CM Shivakumar’s ‘conspiracy’ allegations
Following the sentencing, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar expressed his respect for the judiciary but firmly asserted his belief in Kulkarni’s innocence, attributing the conviction to political machinations.
“I respect the court,” Shivakumar said, “But a big conspiracy was hatched in this case. When the police were about to file a ‘B-report’ (case closure report), the case was handed over to the CBI to harass them (Kulkarni).”
Shivakumar elaborated on his claim, alleging that Kulkarni had become a target of the BJP’s conspiracy due to his consistent political rise and strong influence in the North Karnataka region. “Kulkarni has become a victim of the BJP’s conspiracy because he was consistently doing well in North Karnataka and moving forward politically,” he added.
The Deputy Chief Minister also confirmed that he has spoken to Kulkarni’s family and that Kulkarni “swore to God and told me that he had done nothing wrong.” Shivakumar affirmed his trust in Kulkarni, stating, “I still trust them. I don’t think he did anything wrong.” As the state president of Congress, he vowed to stand by Kulkarni’s family and supporters, expressing confidence that justice would eventually prevail.
The decade-old murder case
The murder of BJP district panchayat member Yogeshgowda Gowdar in Dharwad, Karnataka, dates back to June 15, 2016. At the time of the incident, Vinay Kulkarni was serving as a minister in the state government. Gowdar was allegedly attacked by hired assailants at his gym in Saptapur, Dharwad, and fatally killed.
The politically charged nature of the murder led to widespread discussions and demands for a thorough investigation. Responding to calls from Gowdar’s family and other stakeholders, the then BJP government, led by B S Yeddyurappa, transferred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2019.
‘Justice has been done’: BJP reacts
Senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, under whose tenure the CBI took over the investigation, responded to the verdict from Chikkamagaluru. He reiterated his party’s long-held stance, stating, “When this crime was committed, I said what I had to say. I had said that the culprits should be punished and justice should be done, now that has been proved true.” Yeddyurappa’s comments underscore the BJP’s belief that the court’s decision validates their initial calls for accountability.
The conviction and subsequent life sentence for a sitting MLA are set to have significant political ramifications, reigniting debates about political rivalries and the justice system in Karnataka.