In a development that has stirred political and public discourse, Shrikant Pangarkar, a key accused in the high-profile murder case of journalist Gauri Lankesh, has filed his nomination to contest the upcoming civic elections in Maharashtra's Jalna district. Pangarkar will be fighting as an independent candidate from ward number 13 of the Jalna Municipal Corporation.
A Controversial Political Journey
Shrikant Pangarkar is no stranger to Jalna's political landscape. He served as a municipal councillor for the undivided Shiv Sena between 2001 and 2006. His political journey took a turn when the party dropped him during the 2011 civic elections. Following this, he associated himself with the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti. His path took a more controversial and serious turn in 2018 when he was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Karnataka Police in connection with the 2017 murder of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh in Bengaluru.
Pangarkar's legal troubles extend beyond the Lankesh case. He is also an accused in the Nallasopara arms haul case, for which he was arrested by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). He was lodged in Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail before being released on bail. Notably, the Karnataka High Court granted him bail in the Gauri Lankesh case in 2024.
Brief Stint with Shinde's Shiv Sena and Swift Removal
The year 2024 saw another political twist for Pangarkar. Ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, he joined the Shiv Sena faction led by then Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. However, his induction sparked immediate and severe backlash from opposition parties and civil society groups, given the grave charges against him. The party leadership acted swiftly, removing him from the party just a day after his induction.
Electoral Battle Ahead in Jalna
Now, choosing to contest independently, Pangarkar is set to face candidates from major parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in ward 13 of the Jalna civic body. This move has brought the spotlight back on the intersection of serious criminal accusations and electoral politics in India. The upcoming polls will test the mood of the electorate in his former constituency, where he once held office.
The decision of an accused in such a sensitive case to re-enter the electoral fray raises significant questions about the political and legal frameworks governing candidacy. It ensures that the Jalna Municipal Corporation elections will be watched closely, not just for their local outcomes but for the larger implications they carry.
