Shrikant Pangarkar, named as an accused in the 2017 killing of journalist Gauri Lankesh, has emerged victorious in the Jalna Municipal Corporation elections, winning as an independent candidate and setting off a fresh round of debate on the role of undertrial politicians in electoral democracy.
The results, declared after polling on January 15, showed Pangarkar clinching the Ward 13 seat with a margin of 2,621 votes. He defeated contenders from the BJP and other parties in what turned out to be a fragmented, multi-cornered contest. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena chose not to field a candidate in the ward, a decision that significantly shaped the electoral arithmetic.
Soon after the outcome was announced, visuals of Pangarkar celebrating with his supporters began circulating, drawing sharp reactions given his legal status. The victory comes at a time when the criminal case related to Lankesh’s murder is still being heard by the courts.
Responding to questions after his win, Pangarkar pointed out that there has been “no conviction against him so far,” stressing that the “legal process is still underway.” His remarks underscored a familiar defence often invoked by undertrial politicians contesting elections.
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) January 16, 2026
The case against Pangarkar traces back to the assassination of Gauri Lankesh, who was shot dead outside her residence in Bengaluru on September 5, 2017. The killing had triggered widespread outrage across the country and intensified discussions around press freedom, dissent and political violence. Pangarkar was later listed as an accused in the investigation and was granted bail by the Karnataka High Court on September 4, 2024.
His political career predates the controversy. Pangarkar served as a corporator in the Jalna municipal council between 2001 and 2006 when the Shiv Sena was still undivided. After failing to secure a ticket in 2011, he moved to the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti, a right-wing outfit.
In August 2018, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested him following the recovery of crude bombs and weapons from multiple locations in the state. He was booked under provisions of the Explosives Act, the Explosive Substances Act and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.
More recently, ahead of the November 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, Pangarkar briefly joined the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde. The move attracted criticism, prompting Shinde to put Pangarkar’s induction on hold. Despite that setback, Pangarkar’s latest electoral success has once again brought national focus on candidates facing serious criminal charges contesting and winning elections.
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