Shrikant Pangarkar, one of the accused in the 2017 murder of journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh, has won a seat in the Jalna Municipal Corporation elections, drawing renewed attention to the high-profile case years after the killing shocked the nation.
Shrikant Pangarkar contested the election as an Independent candidate from Ward No. 13 and secured a narrow victory on Friday. He polled 2,661 votes, defeating BJP candidate Raosaheb Dhoble, who received 2,477 votes. The closely fought contest was among the most discussed outcomes of the civic polls, particularly because most major political parties, except the Shiv Sena, fielded candidates against Pangarkar.
The election result has reignited public and political debate, given Pangarkar’s alleged role in one of India’s most widely condemned crimes against the press. Gauri Lankesh was shot dead outside her residence in Bengaluru on September 5, 2017, in a killing that triggered widespread outrage across the country and led to protests by journalists, activists, and civil rights groups.
In August 2018, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested Pangarkar in connection with the case. He was booked under the Explosives Act, the Explosive Substances Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. After spending several years in custody, he was granted bail by the Karnataka High Court on September 4, 2024. The case against him remains under trial, and no final judicial verdict has been delivered.
Pangarkar is not new to local politics. He previously served as a member of the Jalna municipal council between 2001 and 2006, during the period when the Shiv Sena was undivided. After being denied a party ticket in 2011, he parted ways with the party and later joined the right-wing Hindu Janjagruti Samiti. His latest electoral win marks a significant return to public office after a long and controversial gap.
The victory has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters argue that the result reflects local issues and Pangarkar’s grassroots influence in the ward, while critics say it raises serious questions about political accountability and public memory. Political analysts note that municipal elections often hinge on local dynamics, personal networks, and ward-level concerns rather than national controversies.
As Shrikant Pangarkar prepares to assume his role as a corporator, legal proceedings in the Gauri Lankesh murder case continue. The development is expected to remain under close scrutiny from civil society, political observers, and the media, as the unresolved case once again returns to the national spotlight.