MUMBAI — Shrikant Pangarkar, an accused in the murder of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh and Nalasopara arms-ammunition haul case has won as a corporator from ward no 13 of the Jalna Municipal Corporation (JMC) in Maharashtra. Contesting as an independent candidate, he defeated his nearest rival, Raosaheb Dhoble of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, however, did n ot field its candidate against him.
Counting of votes for 29 civic bodies in Maharashtra, which went to polls on Thursday, is currently underway.The BJP is heading towards capturing control of the Jalna Municipal Corporation, according to reports.
Pangarkar Had been a municipal councillor in Jalna from 2001-06 from the undivided Shiv Sena headed by late Balasaheb Thackeray . He was also arrested in August 2018 by Maharashtra’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in connection with the seizure of crude bombs and weapons in Nalasopara and booked under the Explosives Act, the Explosive Substances Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
As of now, he is on bail in both the cases.
Journalist Gauri Lankesh was shot dead outside her residence in Bengaluru on September, 5, 2017 triggering outrage against Hindutva forces across the country.
She worked as an editor at Lankesh Patrike, a Kannada weekly started by her father P Lankesh, and ran her own weekly called Gauri Lankesh Patrike. She was known for her poignant attacks on the Hindutva forces, especially the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
In August 2018, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested Pangarkar under provisions of the Explosives Act, the Explosive Substances Act and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
Pangarkar was granted bail by the Karnataka High Court on September 4, 2024.
