The Karnataka High Court has taken a significant step by suspending the life sentences of seven individuals previously convicted in the high-profile murder case of BJP leader and Dharwad Zilla Panchayat member Yogesh Gowda. The court’s decision, delivered on September 18, comes as part of the ongoing appeals process, allowing the convicts to be released on bail while their appeals are under consideration.
Details of the Court’s Decision
A Division Bench comprising Justice Mohammad Nawaz and Justice G Basavaraja granted this relief, responding to applications filed by the convicts who were challenging their convictions from the trial court. The High Court has set several conditions for their release. Each of the appellants is required to furnish a bond amounting to ₹5 lakh, along with two sureties of the same amount. Additionally, they must deposit the entire fine specified by the trial court, refrain from leaving the country without the court’s consent, and appear before the court as directed.
The Case Background
Yogesh Gowda was tragically killed on June 15, 2016, at a gym in Dharwad. The Special CBI Court in Bengaluru sentenced former Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni and 15 others to life imprisonment on April 17, 2026, after they were found guilty of conspiring to murder Gowda. The convictions were based on multiple charges under the Indian Penal Code, including Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 143 (unlawful assembly), 147, 148 (rioting with deadly weapon), 201 (causing the disappearance of evidence), and 302 (murder). The trial court ordered that all sentences run concurrently and allocated ₹16 lakh from the fines as compensation to Gowda’s children.
Appeals and Interim Relief
The current appeals involve seven of the convicted individuals, specifically accused Nos. 2 to 7 and accused No. 18. Notably, Vinay Kulkarni and eight other convicts had already secured bail on July 31, following a suspension of their life sentences. The recent order extends similar interim relief to seven additional convicts.
Legal Representation
The appellants were represented by advocates Lakshmikanth G, Parameshwarappa C, and Bhadravadi Siddeshwara. The CBI was represented by Special Public Prosecutor P Prasanna Kumar, while advocate Deepak Shetty appeared for an impleading applicant.
The High Court’s decision marks a crucial juncture in the ongoing legal battle surrounding the Yogesh Gowda murder case, drawing significant attention from both legal experts and the public.
