Karnataka Assembly Restores Vinay Kulkarni’s MLA Status After High Court Stays Conviction
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Legislative Assembly has withdrawn the disqualification of Dharwad MLA Vinay Kulkarni following the Karnataka High Court’s order staying his conviction in the Yogesh Gowda murder case.
According to a notification issued by the Karnataka Legislative Assembly Secretariat on August 3, the High Court, through its order dated July 31, 2026, in Criminal Appeal No. 764/2026, stayed the judgment of conviction delivered on April 15, 2026, by the LXXXI Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge, Bengaluru (CCH-82), in Special CC No. 565/2021 against Vinay Kulkarni.
In view of the High Court’s order, the Assembly Secretariat stated that Kulkarni’s disqualification, which had been notified on May 2, 2026, under Article 191(1)(e) of the Constitution of India read with Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, has ceased to operate, subject to further judicial pronouncements.
The notification, signed by Karnataka Legislative Assembly Secretary M.K. Vishalakshi, has also been forwarded to the Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka, the Election Commission of India, the Secretary General of Parliament, the Accountant General of Karnataka and other concerned authorities.
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