Archive · 17 Jan 2026
Accused in Gauri Lankesh Murder Wins Election
Shrikant Pangarkar, who is accused in the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh, won an election to become a member of the Jalna Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra.
He won as an independent candidate, beating the Bharatiya Janata Party's candidate by a small margin.
Pangarkar was a former councillor and has been involved in politics for many years.
He was granted bail in the Gauri Lankesh murder case last year.
His victory has sparked a debate about people with criminal backgrounds holding public office.
Shrikant Pangarkar, an accused in the 2017 murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh, won the Jalna Municipal Corporation election as an Independent candidate.
Pangarkar defeated BJP candidate Raosaheb Dhoble by a margin of 184 votes.
He was a former Jalna Municipal Councillor from 2001 to 2006 and has been involved in various political parties.
Pangarkar was granted bail in the Gauri Lankesh murder case by the Karnataka High Court on 4 September 2024.
His victory has sparked a debate on the role of elected representatives with criminal backgrounds.
- Who
- Shrikant Pangarkar, an accused in the 2017 murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh
- What
- Won the Jalna Municipal Corporation election as an Independent candidate
- When
- Election held on 16 January 2026
- Where
- Jalna, Maharashtra, India
- Why
- Defeated BJP candidate Raosaheb Dhoble by a margin of 184 votes
- Candidate
- Shrikant Pangarkar
- Victory Margin
- 184 votes
- Opponent
- Raosaheb Dhoble (BJP)
- Crime Accused
- Gauri Lankesh murder case
- Bail Status
- Granted by Karnataka High Court on 4 September 2024
- Political Affiliation
- Independent
- Previous Political Role
- Jalna Municipal Councillor (2001-2006)
Sources
Maharashtra: Gauri Lankesh murder case accused wins Jalna civic election
In poll fray as Independent, Gauri Lankesh murder accused is now Jalna corporator
Maharashtra Local Body Polls: Gauri Lankesh Murder Accused Wins Jalna
Gauri Lankesh Murder Accused Wins Jalna Civic Poll As Independent
Victory for Gauri Lankesh's killing suspect Shrikant Pangarkar in Jalna municipal polls - Telegraph India
2 Women, Jailed With Relative Gangster For Murder, Win Pune Civic Polls
