Karnataka: Ex-Minister Vinay Kulkarni arrested in murder case released on bail, gets rousing welcome
Former Congress minister Vinay Kulkarni who was released on bail gets a hero's welcome from his supporters outside Hindalga prison in Belagavi. The ex-minister was arrested in November 2020 in connection with Zilla Panchayat Yogesh Gouder murder case in 2016. Following the transfer of the case to the CBI as part of the probe, the sleuths arrested him. Kulkarni, though out on bail, still cannot enter his hometown Dharwad.
FollowThe former Minister in Siddaramaiah-led government, Vinay Kulkarni who was arrested in a murder case walked out from Hindalga jail today on condition bail after 9 months. However, after his release, he has landed in yet another controversy as he and his supporters violated Covid norms.
Belagavi which is under weekend lockdown saw thousands of his supporters assembling near the jail and as soon he came out, he was carried on shoulders by supporters and also garlanded, ignoring the weekend lockdown and Covid norms of restriction on gathering of more people, maintaining social distance and also wearing a face mask.
Congresswoman MLA Laxmi Hebbalkar was also present to welcome Kulkarni.
The leader then ended up creating another controversy by visiting a Ganesha temple in the Hindalga area. As per rules, no temples are allowed to open during the weekend but in this case, as per reports, at the behest of the accused leader, the temple was opened.
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It is said that Kulkarni has clarified that he was not aware of any such rules like weekend lockdown. The leader while being carried on shoulder by supporters was seen twirling his mustaches and this video has now gone viral.
Although the leader is out on bail, as per the bail condition, he cannot go to his hometown Dharwad.
Last year in November, Kulkarni was arrested by CBI officials who were probing his role in Zilla Panchayat member Yogesh Gouder murder case in 2016. Kulkarni was accused of hiring and facilitating contract killers to bump off Gouder when he was a minister.
Kulkarni has denied the allegation and has applied for bail but the Karnataka HC rejected his plea following which he then approached Supreme Court and finally managed to get conditional bail.
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