Historic Verdict: Karnataka MLA Vinay Kulkarni convicted in Yogesh Gowda murder case

BENGALURU: In a significant development that has sent shockwaves through Karnataka’s political landscape, the Special Court for Elected Representatives in Bengaluru has convicted sitting Dharwad Rural Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni in connection with the 2016 murder of BJP leader and Zilla Panchayat member Yogesh Gowda.

The verdict, delivered on April 15, 2026, marks the end of a decade-long legal battle. Presiding Judge Santosh Gajanan Bhat declared Kulkarni and 18 other accused guilty under various sections of the IPC, including conspiracy to murder.

Key Highlights of the Verdict

• Conviction: Vinay Kulkarni, listed as accused number 15, was found guilty of conspiring to eliminate his political rival, Yogesh Gowda.
• Total Convicted: Out of 21 accused, the court convicted 19 individuals, while others were acquitted due to lack of evidence.
• Sentencing: The court is scheduled to hear arguments on the quantum of punishment on April 16, 2026. Kulkarni faces the possibility of life imprisonment.
• CBI Custody: Following the conviction, the court ordered Kulkarni into immediate custody.

The Case Background

The case dates back to June 15, 2016, when Yogesh Gowda was hacked to death by a group of assailants at his gym in Dharwad. The CBI, which took over the probe in 2019, alleged that Kulkarni—who was then a minister in the Siddaramaiah-led government—was the “main conspirator” who orchestrated the killing because Gowda was perceived as a growing political threat.

Kulkarni was first arrested in November 2020 and spent over nine months in jail before securing bail from the Supreme Court in 2021. However, his legal troubles intensified when his bail was briefly revoked in 2025 following allegations of witness tampering.

Impact on Karnataka Politics

As a sitting MLA and the Chairman of the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board, Kulkarni’s conviction is a major blow to the ruling Congress party. Under the Representation of the People Act, a conviction carrying a sentence of two years or more leads to immediate disqualification from the legislative assembly.