Supreme Court Denounces Karnataka MLA's Attempt to Dismiss Murder Charges in BJP Worker’s Killing

Supreme Court Denounces Karnataka MLA's Attempt to Dismiss Murder Charges in BJP Worker’s Killing

In a harsh decision, the Supreme Court sustained charges against Karnataka Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni. The charges accuse him of contributing to the untimely demise of BJP worker Yogesh Gowda. Kulkarni asked to have the charges dropped, but the Supreme Court turned him down. They scolded the legislator for trying to sabotage the court proceedings.

The case started in June 2016 when an armed gang killed Gowda, a Dharwad-based elected Zilla Panchayat member, at his gym. The initial police investigation led to six arrests, but the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) did not take up the case until the BJP took power in Karnataka in 2019. The CBI's investigative work exposed a purported plot that Minister Kulkarni, at the time, had planned because of a political rivalry with Gowda.

To get an alibi, the agency said Kulkarni had travelled to Delhi on shady timing both before and after the murder. Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave argued for Kulkarni that Gowda's widow, the main witness, had not named the MLA in her first statement. However, Justice P.V. Sanjay Kumar remained unmoved, stating unequivocally, "You bought over the widow. Sorry, SLP, dismissed." As Dave attempted to withdraw the petition, an angry Justice Kumar attacked the practice of filing cases in the Supreme Court as a "gamble." "This has to end. "Is this a case of trying your luck at the Supreme Court and then backing out, or has this court become a gambling court?" he asked.

The trial court in December 2023 and the Karnataka High Court in April 2024 issued orders to frame charges against Kulkarni and 20 other accused persons, and the Supreme Court upheld those orders by refusing to interfere. Charges they are facing include:

• Sections 143, 147, and 148 of the IPC related to unlawful assembly;

• Section 120B for criminal conspiracy;

• Section 302 for murder;

• Section 201 for causing the disappearance of evidence;

• Sections 25, 3, 5, 8, and 29 of the Arms Act for illegal weapons possession.

" The High Court expressed their desire to swiftly resolve this matter before the public forgets about it." The High Court mandates the completion of all tasks within three months due to the prolonged nature of the legal proceedings.

Gowda's brother desired an impartial inquiry, as he believed that politics was the cause of his brother's death. The Congress leader has not received bail since November 2020. Everyone is now anticipating the upcoming trial, as the Supreme Court has rendered its decision.

It demonstrates that even prominent figures, such as legislators, are not immune to the principles of justice, as Kulkarni is facing severe accusations, including murder and firearms. The justice system steadfastly defends justice and refuses to violate laws, recognizing the imperative of treating all individuals equally. offences.

The judiciary's unwavering position defends justice principles and makes it clear that any attempt to undermine due process by illegal methods is unacceptable.