Life term for Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni in BJP leader murder case, faces disqualification

In a major political and legal development, a special court in Bengaluru on Friday sentenced Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni to life imprisonment in connection with the 2016 murder of BJP leader Yogeshgouda Goudar. Sixteen others convicted in the case were also awarded life sentences.

The verdict follows Kulkarni’s conviction earlier this week by the Special Court for cases involving elected representatives. The court held him guilty under various sections of the IPC, including murder and criminal conspiracy.

The case pertains to the killing of Goudar, a zilla panchayat member from Dharwad, who was brutally hacked to death inside a gym in Saptapur on June 15, 2016 . Investigators alleged that Kulkarni, then a minister, viewed Goudar as a rising political rival and orchestrated the attack by hiring contract killers.

The probe, later handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation in 2019, identified Kulkarni as the “main conspirator” in a supplementary chargesheet filed in 2020. He was arrested the same year and had a prolonged legal battle over bail. While the Supreme Court granted him conditional bail in 2021, it was cancelled in 2025 over allegations of witness tampering. He was granted bail again in February 2026 after the examination of witnesses was completed.

During sentencing arguments, the CBI sought life imprisonment without remission, citing the gravity of the offence, while the defence pleaded for leniency, pointing to Kulkarni’s public service and family responsibilities. The court, however, awarded life imprisonment.

Despite being a sitting legislator, Kulkarni’s conviction carries immediate political consequences under the Representation of the People Act, which mandates disqualification of elected representatives sentenced to two years or more in prison. As a result, he is unlikely to continue performing his duties as an MLA. Being in custody, he cannot attend Assembly sessions, vote, or represent his constituency, and his seat may be declared vacant, potentially triggering a by-election unless he secures relief from a higher court.

Kulkarni retains the right to appeal the conviction. If a higher court stays his conviction, it could temporarily restore his eligibility to hold public office. The verdict is expected to have significant political ramifications in Karnataka, particularly in Dharwad district, where the case has long been viewed as a high-profile instance of political rivalry turning violent.