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New Delhi: A ward seat result drew attention in the BMC polls as Shrikant Pangarkar, accused in the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh in 2017, won the Jalna Municipal Corporation elections as an independent candidate on Friday, January 16.

Pangarkar celebrated his victory with his massive supporters after the outcome. He won Ward 13, facing the BJP candidate and others; however, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena didn’t field any candidate in the ward.

But apart from his victory, Pangarkar’s links with the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh sparked buzz, which remained under trial. He also stated that there is no conviction against him so far, and the legal process is still underway.

Gauri Lankesh, a journalist and activist, was shot dead outside her house in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on September 5, 2017. The killing of Gauri had triggered nationwide outrage as a massive debate over freedom of expression, dissent and political intolerance in India escalated among the public.

Pangarkar was named as an accused in the killing, but later the Karnataka High Court granted him bail on September 4, 2024.

VIDEO | Jalna, Maharashtra: Journalist Gauri Lankesh murder accused Shrikant Pangarkar celebrates his victory with supporters after winning the Jalna Municipal Corporation elections as an independent candidate.

#Jalna #MaharashtraCivicPolls2026

(Full video available on PTI… pic.twitter.com/slFETxVN1w

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News)

Pangarkar served as a corporator in the Jalna municipal council from the undivided Shiv Sena in the term between 2001 and 2006. Later in 2011, he was denied a ticket from the Shiv Sena, and in retaliation, he left the party and joined the right-wing Hindi Janjagruti Samiti.

He was also arrested in the crude bombs and weapons seizure from different parts of the state by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad. Pangarkar was named under the Explosive Act, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.