Journalism of Courage
Advertisement
Premium

Gauri Lankesh case accused joins Shinde Sena ahead of Maharashtra polls, gets charge of Jalna campaign

On Friday, Pangarkar joined the Shinde Sena in the presence of party leader and former state minister Arjun Khotkar, who said he (Pangarkar) has been given charge of the party's poll campaign in Jalna Assembly constituency.

Gauri Lankesh, Gauri Lankesh murder, Shrikant Pangarkar, Shrikant Pangarkarj joins shiv sena, shiv sena, maharashtra assembly polls, eknath shinde

An accused in the 2017 murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh has joined the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde ahead of the Assembly elections in the state.

Shrikant Pangarkar, who was arrested in August 2018 in the Lankesh case, was granted bail by the Karnataka High Court last month. He is also an accused in the 2018 Nalasopara arms haul case, in which he was granted bail earlier. Both the cases are under trial.

On Friday, Pangarkar joined the Shinde Sena in the presence of party leader and former state minister Arjun Khotkar, who said he (Pangarkar) has been given charge of the party’s poll campaign in Jalna Assembly constituency.

“Pangarkar is a former Shiv Sainik and has returned to the party. He has been given responsibility of the Jalna Vidhan Sabha poll campaign… He has been working for the party. He has been released by the court and has come out of jail after completing the judicial proceedings,” said Khotkar, who is likely to contest the Assembly elections. Asked if Pangarkar would get a party ticket, Khotkar said he would work for the party in Jalna.

When contacted, the Shinde Sena’s spokesperson and MLA, Sanjay Shirsat, however, said he was not aware of Pangarkar joining the party.

Pangarkar was Jalna municipal councillor of the undivided Shiv Sena between 2001and 2006. After he was dropped by the party during the 2011 civic elections, he joined the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti.

Pangarkar was arrested in two cases earlier — by the Karnataka police SIT for the Lankesh murder, and by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in the Nallasopara arms haul case – and was lodged at Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail before being released on bail.

Story continues below this ad

In the Lankesh case, he was accused of arranging firearms and attending a training camp. The Karnataka High Court granted him bail on September 4 this year, observing that he was one of the accused who was admittedly not at the crime scene, but was accused of conspiring and arranging vehicles and firearms.

In the arms haul case — pistols, airguns and crude bombs were seized in Maharashtra’s Nallasopara in August 2018 — the ATS claimed that Pangarkar had facilitated the funding for procuring the weapons. The 12 accused arrested, including Pangarkar, were charged with plotting attacks.

The ATS claimed that the accused had conspired to disrupt the Sunburn music festival held in Pune in December 2017 by throwing petrol bombs, because they felt that it was against Hindu culture. They dropped the plan after an accused found himself exposed to a CCTV camera at the venue, it said. The ATS also claimed that the 12 accused had conducted recce of the homes of some prominent persons.

The ATS filed a chargesheet in December 2018. Pangarkar and the others were charged under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosive Substances Act, Arms Act and Maharashtra Police Act.

Story continues below this ad

On July 30 this year, the Bombay High Court granted Pangarkar and four others bail on the ground that the trial was underway, but the possibility of its timely completion appeared bleak.

Lankesh was shot dead outside her residence in Bengaluru on September 5, 2017. A Karnataka police SIT arrested 17 persons linked to the Sanatan Sanstha and other outfits for the murder. Eleven of the 17 accused have been granted bail while the case has been under trial.

Earlier this month, two key accused in the Lankesh case, including the alleged shooter, were felicitated by members of Hindutva groups in the Vijayapura region of Karnataka after they were released on bail.

Curated For You

Vallabh Ozarkar is a Senior Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized as an authoritative and deeply knowledgeable voice on the politics, governance, and infrastructure of Maharashtra. With approximately seven years of experience in major news organizations, his reporting delivers high standards of Expertise and Trustworthiness. Expertise & Authority Current Role: Senior Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai bureau. Geographical Specialization: Provides exclusive and detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, operating at the epicenter of the state's decision-making in Mumbai. Core Authority: His reporting demonstrates deep Expertise across critical and often complex state matters, including: Political Dynamics: In-depth analysis of the ruling coalition (Mahayuti) and opposition (MVA), internal party conflicts, and crucial election updates, including local body polls and municipal corporation tussles. Governance & Policy: Focused coverage on significant state policies, such as the overhaul of Mumbai's 'pagdi system' (rent control for old buildings) and social welfare schemes (e.g., Ladki Bahin Yojana accountability). Infrastructure & Development: Reports on major urban and regional infrastructure projects, including the Mumbai Water Metro, Uttan-Virar Sea Link, and Thane Metro development. Administrative Oversight: Follows legislative actions, cabinet decisions, and reports on issues of accountability and alleged fraud within state departments. Experience Current Role: His role at The Indian Express—a leading national daily—validates the credibility and standard of his reporting. Career Foundation: Prior to The Indian Express, Vallabh contributed to other major metropolitan news outlets, including the Mumbai Mirror and DNA - Daily News & Analysis, providing a solid foundation in rigorous urban and political journalism. Evidence of Impact: His work consistently breaks down complex political developments and administrative failures, such as exposing discrepancies in government welfare schemes, cementing his reputation as a trusted source for ground-level, impactful news from Maharashtra. He tweets @Ozarkarvallabh ... Read More

Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues. Expertise  Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports. Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on: Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the "ordinary and not so ordinary events" that reveal the human element within the justice system. Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on: Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates. Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children. Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions. Experience Institutional Affiliation: Reporting for The Indian Express—a leading national newspaper—ensures her coverage is subject to high editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and legal rigor. Impactful Detail: Her focus on trial courts provides readers with direct, detailed insights into the workings of the justice system, making complex legal narratives accessible and establishing her as a reliable and trusted chronicler of the legal landscape. Sadaf Modak's blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism. She tweets @sadafmodak ... Read More

 

Tags:
  • Gauri Lankesh Mumbai
Edition
Install the Express App for
a better experience
Featured
Trending Topics
News
Multimedia
Follow Us
C Raja Mohan writesIndian Communism is 100 years old. And it's too early to write its obituary
X