Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni Sent to Judicial Custody After Supreme Court Cancels Bail in 2016 BJP Leader Murder Case
Bengaluru, June 14, 2025: In a major legal development with deep political implications in Karnataka, Congress MLA from Dharwad Rural, Vinay Kulkarni, surrendered before a special court in Bengaluru on Friday, after the Supreme Court cancelled his bail in the high-profile 2016 murder case of BJP leader Yogeeshgouda Goudar.
Kulkarni, who is one of the 21 accused chargesheeted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the case, has been remanded to judicial custody and lodged at Bengaluru Central Prison.
SC Cancels Bail Over Alleged Witness Tampering
The Supreme Court, in its June 6 order, cancelled Kulkarni’s bail citing credible evidence that he attempted to influence witnesses in the ongoing murder trial. The order was passed by a two-judge bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Satish Chandra Sharma, who noted that there was “sufficient material on record” indicating attempts by Kulkarni to contact or influence witnesses.
“Keeping in mind the totality of circumstances, this court is of the considered opinion that the bail granted to the respondent ought to be cancelled,” the bench observed.
Kulkarni was initially granted conditional bail in August 2021, but the CBI moved the apex court, accusing the Congress leader of threatening witnesses and tampering with critical evidence.
Background: The 2016 Murder That Shocked Dharwad
The case pertains to the murder of Yogeeshgouda Goudar, a BJP zilla panchayat member from the Hebballi constituency in Dharwad, who was brutally hacked to death in 2016. What initially appeared to be a personal enmity case took a political turn when the CBI alleged a criminal conspiracy involving Kulkarni, who was then a powerful political figure in the region.
The CBI filed a comprehensive chargesheet against 21 individuals, naming Vinay Kulkarni as Accused No. 15. According to investigators, Goudar’s growing influence within the local BJP setup and his opposition to Kulkarni’s political activities allegedly led to the crime.
Court Proceedings and Next Steps
Senior Special Public Prosecutor Gangadhar Shetty confirmed that the special court for elected representatives in Bengaluru has taken Kulkarni into judicial custody. The court will hear the matter on three consecutive days starting next Monday, ensuring expedited proceedings.
Kulkarni surrendered voluntarily before the court in compliance with the Supreme Court’s cancellation order. He was later escorted to Bengaluru Central Prison amid tight security.
“The CBI’s position has been vindicated. We are ready to proceed with the case as directed,” said Shetty.
Political Fallout for Congress in Karnataka
The development is a serious blow to the Congress party in Karnataka, which has been navigating several challenges ahead of the 2025 local body elections. Kulkarni, a key leader in northern Karnataka, has long been a controversial figure with a strong regional following.
While the Congress leadership has not officially commented on the arrest, sources indicate that the party will await the court’s next hearing before taking any disciplinary action. Opposition BJP leaders, meanwhile, have seized the moment to criticize Congress for “protecting tainted leaders.”
“This is proof that Congress shelters those involved in heinous crimes. The law has caught up with him,” said a senior BJP spokesperson from Karnataka.
Case Timeline Snapshot
- June 15, 2016: Yogeeshgouda Goudar murdered in Dharwad
- 2019: CBI takes over the case
- Aug 2021: Kulkarni granted conditional bail
- June 6, 2025: Supreme Court cancels bail citing witness tampering
- June 13, 2025: Kulkarni surrenders in Bengaluru court
- June 14, 2025: Remanded to judicial custody in Bengaluru Central Jail