Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has granted interim bail to former Karnataka Minister Vinay Kulkarni and stayed the operation of his life sentence in the Yogesh Gowda murder case, providing significant relief to the Congress leader pending disposal of his appeal.
Kulkarni was among 16 persons sentenced to life imprisonment by a Special Court in Bengaluru in connection with the 2016 murder of BJP leader Yogesh Gowda in Dharwad. Following the conviction, Kulkarni’s membership of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly was also disqualified in accordance with the law.
The High Court has now suspended the sentence and granted him conditional bail. As part of the conditions, Kulkarni has been directed to execute a personal bond of ₹5 lakh with the required sureties. He has also been restrained from leaving the country without prior permission from the court.
The High Court also granted bail to former police inspector Channakeshava, who was convicted in the case on allegations of attempting to suppress evidence. In all, 10 convicted persons have received interim relief from the High Court.
Reacting to the order, social activist Basavaraj Koravar, who has been associated with pursuing justice in the Yogesh Gowda murder case, expressed disappointment over the stay on the conviction.
Koravar said that while grant of bail after conviction is a normal legal process when an appeal is filed before the High Court, the suspension of the sentence in a case involving life imprisonment was unexpected. He stated that the trial court had convicted the accused after considering evidence, including allegations of witness influence and meetings allegedly held before the murder.
He said a detailed assessment would be made after obtaining a copy of the High Court’s order to understand the legal grounds on which the sentence was stayed. If necessary, the complainant’s side would challenge the order before the Supreme Court.
Koravar said the legal battle had entered its next phase and maintained that the conviction by the trial court had reinforced public faith that influential individuals could also be held accountable under the law. He added that they would continue to pursue the matter before the Supreme Court until the case reaches its final conclusion.
On whether Kulkarni would now be able to enter Dharwad district, Koravar said the answer would depend on the detailed contents of the High Court’s order. He pointed out that separate proceedings, including cases relating to alleged witness intimidation and destruction of evidence, are still pending, and restrictions imposed in those matters would have to be examined independently before determining whether Kulkarni can enter the district.
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