Accused in Gauri Lankesh Murder Wins Jalna Municipal Election as Independent
Shrikant Pangarkar secured a surprising victory in the Jalna Municipal Corporation elections. He defeated his BJP rival Raosaheb Dhoble in Ward 13. Pangarkar won as an independent candidate.
Vote Count and Celebration
Pangarkar received 2,661 votes. Dhoble polled 2,477 votes. Supporters celebrated immediately after the results announcement. They gathered in the area to mark his win.
Political Background and Controversial Appointment
Pangarkar has a long history with Shiv Sena. He served as a member of the Jalna Municipal Council from 2001 to 2011. In 2024, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena appointed him as the party's assembly election campaign committee chief for Jalna constituency.
This appointment sparked sharp criticism. Political opponents, civil society groups, and media sections voiced strong objections. They highlighted his pending criminal cases. Due to the backlash, Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde withdrew the responsibility in October 2024.
Legal Cases and Bail Details
Pangarkar faces serious legal challenges. Authorities arrested him in August 2018. He is one of the 18 accused in the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh. The killing occurred on September 5, 2017, in Bengaluru.
This murder triggered nationwide outrage. It fueled intense debates on freedom of expression, dissent, and political intolerance. Pangarkar is also an accused in the 2018 Nalasopara arms haul case.
The courts granted him bail in both cases recently. The Bombay High Court granted bail in the arms haul case in August 2024. The Karnataka High Court ordered his release in the Lankesh murder case on September 4, 2024.
The Karnataka High Court noted specific grounds for bail. It stated the petitioners were not present at the crime spot on the incident day. The court also observed no likelihood of the trial concluding soon. It granted bail on grounds of parity with four co-accused released earlier.
Independent Candidacy and Victory
Despite these controversies, Pangarkar contested the 2026 Jalna civic elections as an independent. He emerged victorious, marking a significant political comeback. His win highlights complex voter dynamics in the region.
