Political Conspiracy Claims: The Vinay Kulkarni Verdict

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar voiced his belief that Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni was wrongfully convicted due to a political conspiracy led by the BJP. Kulkarni was recently sentenced to life imprisonment in connection with the 2016 murder of BJP leader Yogeshgouda Goudar.

Shivakumar, who maintains faith in Kulkarni's innocence, claims the former minister fell prey to a 'conspiracy' because of his growing political influence in north Karnataka. A legal appeal is in the pipeline, as Kulkarni and Shivakumar continue to contest the verdict.

The contentious case involved the brutal murder of Goudar in his gym in Dharwad. Initially, state police were closing in on filing a B-report, but the case was later transferred to the CBI at the behest of the BJP-led government, fueling conspiracy allegations.