Archive · 31 Jul 2026
Karnataka High Court Stays Kulkarni Murder Conviction
A man named Vinay Kulkarni was found guilty of killing a BJP leader, Yogesh Goudar, in 2016.
The Karnataka High Court stopped the conviction on a Friday, so the case is paused.
Yogesh’s brother, Gurunath, wants to ask the Supreme Court to look at the stay.
Yogesh’s wife, Mallamma, said she will not go to the Supreme Court.
A social activist said they will study the High Court’s order before deciding what to do next.
Karnataka High Court stayed the April 15 conviction of former minister Vinay Kulkarni in the 2016 murder of BJP leader Yogesh Goudar.
Yogesh Goudar’s brother Gurunath announced he would file a petition in the Supreme Court to challenge the stay.
Yogesh Goudar’s widow Mallamma said she would not pursue the case further in the Supreme Court.
The case was originally investigated by local police, then transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation in 2019, which filed a chargesheet and secured a life‑sentence conviction.
Social activist Basavaraj Koravar said the High Court’s order would be studied before deciding on further legal action.
- Who
- Former Karnataka minister Vinay Kulkarni, victim BJP leader Yogesh Goudar, and their families
- What
- Stay of conviction in the murder case and plans to appeal to the Supreme Court
- When
- Friday following the April 15 conviction
- Where
- Dharwad district, Karnataka, India
- Why
- High Court granted the stay, prompting the victim’s brother to seek Supreme Court review while the widow chose not to pursue further
- High Court Stay Date
- Friday
- Conviction Date
- April 15
- Case Origin
- 2016 murder of Yogesh Goudar
- Current Status
- Supreme Court appeal pending
- Key Parties
- Vinay Kulkarni, Yogesh Goudar, Gurunath Goudar, Mallamma Goudar