Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni Sentenced To Life In Yogesh Gowda Murder Case

Last Updated:April 17, 2026, 17:34 IST

Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni and 16 others are sentenced to life for BJP leader Yogesh Gowda murder, plus seven years for destroying evidence.

In a major political development, a Special Court for MPs and MLAs in Bengaluru on Friday sentenced Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni and 16 other accused to life imprisonment in the high-profile murder case of BJP Zilla Panchayat member Yogesh Gowda.

The court awarded life imprisonment to all the convicted accused for offences of murder and criminal conspiracy, while also imposing an additional seven-year prison term for destruction of evidence. Legal experts said the life sentence will prevail as the highest punishment awarded in the case.

The verdict comes days after the court convicted Kulkarni and other accused, holding that the killing was part of a premeditated and organised conspiracy to eliminate the BJP leader.

The Yogesh Gowda murder case dates back to June 15, 2016, when Yogesh Gowda was brutally hacked to death inside a gym in Dharwad, sending shockwaves across Karnataka politics.

The investigation, initially handled by local police, was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) due to the sensitivity of the case and allegations of political involvement.

The CBI filed a chargesheet against 21 accused, alleging that the murder stemmed from political rivalry and local disputes. During the lengthy trial, two accused turned approvers and became key witnesses for the prosecution. The case involved examination of more than 100 witnesses over several years before reaching its conclusion.

The conviction and sentencing of a sitting MLA carry significant political consequences. Under legal provisions, Vinay Kulkarni now faces the possibility of disqualification from the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. He will have to secure a stay on his conviction from the Karnataka High Court or the Supreme Court within a month; otherwise, the Assembly Speaker may initiate proceedings to disqualify him from his legislative position.

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