The Hon’ble Spl. Judge for Hon’ble LXXXI Addl. City Civil & Sessions Judge (Special Court for Criminal Cases related to MPs/MLAs), Bengaluru has pronounced judgment on 15.04.26 and convicted Shri Vinay Rajshekharappa Kulkarni, MLA Dharwad and former Minister of State for Mines and Geology, Karnataka Government, as well as 16 others in Spl. CC No. 565/21 arising out of RC 17(S)/19-CBI/BLR for the murder of Yogesh Gowda on 15.06.16 at Dharwad.
Today, Shri Vinay R. Kulkarni has been sentenced to double life imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 90,000/- under 120-B IPC and 302, 201 r/w 120-B IPC. His uncle and co-accused Shri Chandrashekhar Indi @ Chandu Mama has been given the same sentence and fine under the same sections.
Fourteen other accused in this case, namely Vikram Ballari, Kirtikumar Kurahatti, Sandeep Soudatti @ Sandy, Vinayak Katagi, Mahabaleshwar Hongal @ Mudaka, Santosh Savadatti, Dinesh, Aswatha, Sunil, Nazeer Ahamed, Shahnawaz, Nuthan, Harsith C., and Vikas Kalburgi, have also been sentenced to double life imprisonment and been imposed a fine of Rs. 96,000/- each under 120-B IPC and 302, 201, 143, 147, 148 r/w 120-B IPC.
Finally, accused Police Inspector C. Tingerikar has been sentenced for 7 years RI and been imposed a fine of Rs. 80,000/- under 120-B IPC and 201, 218 r/w 120-B IPC.
The court has also ordered that out of the total fine amount, Rs. 16,00,000/- will be paid to the children of the deceased. After pronouncement of the judgement, the convicts/accused were sent to Central Prison, Bengaluru to undergo the sentences imposed by the Hon’ble Court.
The deceased Yogesh Gowda, a Dharwad Zila Panchayat member, was murdered on 15.06.2016 at his gym in Dharwad. Initially, Dharwad Sub-Urban Police Station, Karnataka, filed FIR and subsequently presented a charge sheet against six persons before the Dharwad District Court. While trial was pending, the Karnataka Government entrusted the matter for further investigation to CBI.
During the investigation conducted by CBI, it was revealed that there were many more persons involved in a conspiracy to murder the deceased and to cover it up, and the same was masterminded by Shri Vinay R. Kulkarni. Other co-conspirators to the crime included his uncle Shri Chandrashekhar Indi @ Chandu Mama and Police Inspector C. Tingerikar, then SHO, Dharwad Sub-Urban Police Station who helped destroy the evidence and frame others for the crime.
After completion of investigation, CBI filed chargesheet against 21 accused persons. During the trial, 113 witnesses were examined and 291 Exhibits and 32 Material Objects were taken on record.
After completion of trial, the Hon’ble Court convicted 17 accused vide judgement pronounced on 15.04.2026. Sentences were awarded today, i.e., on 17.04.2026. Additionally, the court has ordered for perjury proceedings to be initiated against 10 witnesses.
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