Gauri Lankesh murder accused joins Shiv Sena ahead of Maharashtra elections

Shrikant Pangarkar, a Jalna municipal councillor of the undivided Shiv Sena between 2001 and 2006, was arrested in August 2018

Updated on: Oct 20, 2024, 04:48:17 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Shrikant Pangarkar, an accused in the 2017 killing of journalist Gauri Lankesh, joined the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra's Jalna.

Pangarkar joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena on Friday in the presence of party leader and former state minister Arjun Khotkar, PTI reported.

"Pangarkar is a former Shiv Sainik and has returned to the party. He has been nominated as the chief of the Jalna assembly poll campaign," PTI quoted Khotkar as saying.

On September 5, 2017, Gauri Lankesh was shot dead outside her home in Bengaluru (HT FILE)

Khotkar also said he wants to contest the assembly poll from Jalna, but added seat sharing discussions in the Mahayuti (ruling alliance comprising Shiv Sena, BJP and Ajit Pawar-led NCP) were still underway.

ALSO READ: Hindutva activists accord grand welcome to Gauri Lankesh murder accused in Karnataka's Vijayapura: Report

Shrikant Pangarkar's role in Gauri Lankesh murder

On September 5, 2017, Gauri Lankesh was shot dead outside her home in Bengaluru.

According to a Times of India report, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the journalist-activist's murder had pointed to Pangarkar being the senior associate of prime suspect Amol Kale.

The SIT said Kale revealed that orders to kill Gauri Lankesh were issued by Maharashtra-based men. According to the TOI report, investigations revealed that Pangarkar was in touch with Amol Kale before and after Lankesh's murder.

Pangarkar, a Jalna municipal councillor of the undivided Shiv Sena between 2001 and 2006, was arrested in August 2018 and was granted bail by the Karnataka High Court on September 4 this year.

After he was denied a ticket by the Shiv Sena in 2011, Pangarkar joined the right-wing Hindu Janjagruti Samiti.

In August this year, the Bombay high court granted bail to Pangarkar and four co-accused in connection with a 2018 arms haul case and for allegedly conspiring to attack the Sunburn festival in Pune, citing prima facie insufficient evidence to prove the conspiracy charge.

The accused have been booked under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Indian Penal Code (IPC), Explosives Act and Explosive Substances Act.

(With agency inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.