Published May 03, 2026 | 10:36 AM ⚊ Updated May 03, 2026 | 11:20 AM
Vinay Kulkarni. Credit: facebook.com/vinaykulkarni.official
Synopsis: Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni has been disqualified after his conviction in the 2016 murder of BJP leader Yogesh Gowda. The Dharwad seat now stands vacant. A special court sentenced Kulkarni and 18 others, while Congress leaders alleged a political conspiracy. Kulkarni has appealed the life sentence, with the Karnataka High Court issuing notice to the CBI.
Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni has officially been disqualified following his conviction in the murder case of BJP leader Yogesh Gowda.
The Karnataka Legislative Assembly secretariat issued a notification to this effect on Saturday, 2 May. Kulkarni has been disqualified for a period of six years from his date of conviction, 15 April, unless the conviction is stayed by a competent court.
Kulkarni represented the Dharwad Assembly constituency, which has now fallen vacant.
The Karnataka High Court last week issued a notice to the CBI on an appeal filed by Kulkarni, challenging the life sentence imposed on him.
Also Read: Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni moves Karnataka HC against murder conviction, life sentence
A special court for MPs and MLAs in Karnataka on Wednesday, 15 April, found Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni guilty in the 2016 murder of BJP leader Yogesh Gowda.
Gowda, a BJP member and former Dharwad Zila Panchayat member, was hacked to death at his gym in Dharwad in June 2016.
Kulkarni, who represents the Dharwad Assembly constituency, previously served as Minister of State for Mines and Geology in the first Siddaramaiah cabinet. He was charged as the key conspirator in the murder and has been convicted of criminal conspiracy and murder under provisions of the IPC.
Along with him, 18 others have been found guilty, while two others were acquitted by Judge Santhosh Gajanan Bhat.
Also Read: Karnataka Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni convicted for murder of BJP leader Yogesh Gowda
Earlier, the ruling Congress stood firmly behind Kulkarni – a prominent Lingayat leader.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said he ‘respects the court’ but the conviction was a “conspiracy” by BJP. He said Kulkarni had “sworn on god” that he did not commit the crime.
“A major conspiracy has taken place here. A CBI investigation was conducted and harassment was carried out at the time of filing the B report. Vinay Kulkarni has also been trapped in this conspiracy,” he told reporters on 17 April.
“I still believe in him to this day. The court’s verdict must be respected. In my view, he has not done anything wrong. I will work to provide moral strength to his family. Workers should not lose courage. Truth will ultimately prevail.”
He added that similar conspiracies had been hatched against him and said “justice would be served in a higher court in this case too.”
