Maharashtra: Gauri Lankesh murder accused to contest Jalna civic polls as independent

An accused in the high-profile murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh is contesting the upcoming local elections in Maharashtra. Shrikant Pangarkar has filed his nomination as an independent candidate for the Jalna Municipal Corporation polls, scheduled for 15 January.

Pangarkar is contesting the Ward 13 seat. He faces rivals from the BJP and other parties. Notably, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has chosen not to field a candidate against him. This follows a controversy in late 2024 when Pangarkar briefly joined the party. Following public outcry, Shinde put his official membership on hold.

The case dates back to 5 September 2017, when Gauri Lankesh was shot dead outside her home in Bengaluru. Her murder triggered a national debate over free speech and political intolerance.

Pangarkar’s political career began with the original Shiv Sena, where he served as a local councillor from 2001 to 2006. After the party denied him a ticket in 2011, he joined the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti, a right-wing group.

In August 2018, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested him. He was linked to a case involving explosives and arms seized across the state. Consequently, authorities charged him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), India's primary anti-terror law. On 4 September 2024, the Karnataka High Court granted him bail in the Gauri Lankesh murder case.