Gauri Lankesh murder case accused wins Jalna civic poll as Independent

Shrikant Pangarkar, an accused in the 2017 killing of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh, on Friday (January 16, 2026) won as a corporator from the Jalna Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra.

Counting of votes for 29 civic bodies in Maharashtra, which went to polls a day before, is currently underway.

Mr. Pangarkar had contested as an Independent candidate from electoral ward No. 13. He defeated his nearest rival, Raosaheb Dhoble of the BJP.

Also read | Maharashtra civic election results LIVE

Pangarkar secured 2,661 votes, while Dhoble polled 2,477 votes, a poll official said.

Except for Shiv Sena, almost all major political parties had fielded their candidates against Mr. Pangarkar.

Gauri Lankesh was shot dead outside her residence in Bengaluru on September 5, 2017. The killing had triggered widespread outrage.

In August 2018, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested Pangarkar under provisions of the Explosives Act, the Explosive Substances Act, and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

He was granted bail by the Karnataka High Court on September 4, 2024.

Mr. Pangarkar had earlier served as a member of the Jalna Municipal Council from 2001 to 2006, when the Shiv Sena was undivided. After being denied a party ticket in 2011, he joined the right-wing Hindu Janjagruti Samiti.

Meanwhile, the BJP is heading towards capturing control of the Jalna Municipal Corporation.