Koppal, May 1 (IANS). A local court in Gangavati town in north Karnataka’s Koppal district on Thursday awarded death sentence to six people in the murder case of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) leader Venkatesh Kurubara (34).
The culprits have been identified as Ravi, Vijay, Dhanraj, Bharat, Salim Mohammad Rafiq and Gangadhar Gowli.
The court has also imposed a fine of Rs 3 lakh each on all of them. This decision was given by Judge Sadanand Nagappa Naik.
Venkatesh Kurubara was murdered on 7 October 2025 in Gangavathi town due to personal rivalry. This incident created a huge stir in political circles.
The accused had allegedly conspired and carried out this murder in a very cruel manner. The police arrested 12 accused in this case and filed a 927-page chargesheet in the court.
Earlier, the court had acquitted Karthik, Dadapeer, Mohammed Altaf, Mallikarjun, Akkiroti Sharan and Chaitra.
Before the verdict, tight security arrangements were made around the Gangavati Court premises. All six convicts were brought to the court in two separate vehicles amid tight police security.
During the hearing of the case, the court recorded the statements of 83 witnesses. Public prosecutor Nagalakshmi appeared for the prosecution.
Let us tell you that this incident happened when Venkatesh was returning after dinner with his friends at around 2 o’clock in the night after attending a religious program.
A gang hit his bike with a car on Koppal Road near Lilavati Hospital and attacked him with swords and iron rods. He was dragged to the roadside and brutally murdered.
Venkatesh’s friend and eyewitness Ramu said that the attackers first threatened him and chased him, then attacked Venkatesh.
It is said that the accused were trying to escape to Bengaluru, but had to leave the car due to a burst tyre.
Koppal SP R. l. Arsiddhi had told that the root of this murder is related to a police case of 2003, in which Venkatesh had helped in arresting the accused, due to which Ravi had a grudge against him.
Venkatesh’s father Hampanya Jantakal told that Ravi had also threatened his son on WhatsApp in 2024.
A case was registered in Gangavathi Nagar police station in this matter, but due to fear, Venkatesh often changed places and stayed with friends.
–IANS
AMT/DKP