“We Bow Our Head To Court Order,” Says Yogesh Goudar’s Wife

Dharwad: Mallamma, wife of former Zilla Panchayat president Yogesh Goudar, said she would “submit” to the court order.

The Special Court for Cases Involving Elected Representatives in Bengaluru had on Wednesday convicted Kulkarni and 16 others in connection with the murder of Yogesh Goudar. On Friday, the court announced the amount of the sentence and sentenced all convicts to life imprisonment.

“We bow our heads before the court decision,” Mallamma said. “I always remember my wife, she is always with me. Our voters were with us in our difficult times,” he said.

Meanwhile, social activist Basavaraj Koravar, who fought strongly for the CBI investigation into the case, was provided police security following the conviction of the accused.

“Ever since I held the press conference for the CBI investigation, direct or indirect threats have always been there. These are to be expected when you are dealing with such high-profile cases. I did not ask for security,” Koravar said.

Sources said Kulkarni is likely to lose his MLA post if he fails to get a stay from the high court.

Yogesh Goudar, a BJP leader and then Zilla Panchayat president, was killed during a gym workout in Sapthapura on June 15, 2016. The local police filed a chargesheet in September 2016, but the family alleged lapses in the investigation and demanded a CBI probe into Kulkarni’s alleged involvement.

After repeated demands, the state government led by BS Yediyurappa handed over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation in 2019. CBI registered a case on September 24, 2019.

After a detailed investigation, the CBI filed a chargesheet and the hearing was held in the special court that convicted Kulkarni and others earlier this week.