Yogesh Gowda Murder Case: Karnataka Govt Alleges Witness-Tampering By Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni; SC Stays Examination Till Tomorrow

The Supreme Court today restrained the Trial Court hearing the murder case of BJP worker Yogesh Gowda from examining any witnesses until tomorrow.

"List tomorrow. Meanwhile, we direct the Trial Court not to examine any one of the witnesses till further orders", the Court ordered.

A bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Satish Chandra Sharma passed the order on Karnataka government's plea alleging witness-tampering by State MLA and former Minister Vinay Kulkarni, who was arrested in 2020 in relation to the murder but enlarged on bail in 2021.

For context, Kulkarni's bail plea was allowed by the Supreme Court in 2021, subject to conditions to be imposed by the trial Court. Following this order, the trial Court enlarged the Congress leader on bail, noting that if there was a violation of any bail condition, the same would attract cancellation of the relief granted. Subsequently, the Karnataka government moved the trial Court for cancellation of bail, however, its application was declined on the ground that Kulkarni was granted bail by the Supreme Court. As such, the matter again came before the top Court.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for Karnataka government, submitted that there is a gross case of witness-tampering and there is evidence to that effect in form of CCTV footage, etc.

Counsel for Kulkarni, on the other hand, sought a week's time, saying that he is on a vacation in his native village and does not even have his black coat. Noting that the counsel was infact wearing a black coat, the bench expressed surprise at the submission made. "What is this? This kind of excuse...you're putting on a coat, then you are saying you don't have a coat!", remarked Justice Sharma.

The judge also pointed to a Delhi High Court circular as per which black coat is not mandatory for lawyers in Delhi. Listing the matter tomorrow, Justice Karol said,

"We will send your client to a safe destination. If you don't join tomorrow by VC, we will appoint an Amicus and pass appropriate orders."

What Was The Yogesh Gowda Murder Case?

Yogesh Gowda, a zilla panchayat member of the BJP from Hebballi constituency, was murdered by an armed gang at his gym in Saptapur in Dharwad on June 15, 2016. The Dharwad Police subsequent to his murder arrested six persons and chargesheeted them for murder.

Supported by BJP leaders, Gurunath Goudar, brother of Yogeeshgouda Goudar demanded a CBI probe into the case which was finally fulfilled after the BJP-led government came to power in the State.

The CBI, took over the investigation on September 24, 2019, identified and arrested eight other accused and filed a charge sheet on May 20, 2020. Arrested on November 5, 2020, Vinay Kulkarni went into judicial custody in the Hindalga Jail of Belagavi. His bail plea was rejected twice, once by the Special Court and once by the High Court.

In February 2021, the CBI filed a supplementary charge sheet which included 21 accused including the petitioner. On December 6, 2023 the Special Court framed charges against all the accused including the petitioner for offences punishable under sections 143, 147, 148, 120-B, 302, 201 read with Section 149 of IPC and also for the offences punishable under Section 25 read with Sections 3, 5, 8 and 29 of the Arms Act, 1959.

On April 8, 2024, the High Court upheld the charge framed by the Special Court against Kulkarni and 20 others. In June, the Supreme Court dismissed the SLP filed against the High Court order.

Case Title: THE STATE OF KARNATAKA Versus VINAY RAJASHEKHARAPPA KULKARNI, SLP(Crl) No. 7865/2025 

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