Supreme Court Cancels Bail Of Ex-Karnataka Minister Vinay Kulkarni In ZP Member Murder Case

Allowing an appeal filed by the State of Karnataka through the CBI, a Bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma cancelled the relief earlier granted by a coordinate bench of the apex court in August 2021.

The Court found prima facie material suggesting that Kulkarni attempted to influence key prosecution witnesses, including a co-accused turned approver.

The trial court had earlier declined to entertain the CBI’s plea for cancellation of Kulkarni’s bail citing lack of jurisdiction, noting that the bail was granted by the Supreme Court itself.

However, the Apex Court on Friday rejected that reasoning, observing that the Sessions Court was empowered under Section 439(2) CrPC (now Section 483(3) BNSS, 2023) to cancel bail in case of violations, even if bail was initially granted by a superior court.

“In view of the material on record, including call detail records and CCTV footage, it appears that there were attempts by the respondent to contact or influence prosecution witnesses,” the Court noted. It clarified, however, that the observations were limited to the bail cancellation proceedings and would not affect the merits of the ongoing trial.

The Court also directed the trial court to make every effort to conclude the trial expeditiously.

Kulkarni was arrested by the CBI in November 2020 in connection with the 2016 murder of Yogesh Goudar outside his gym in Dharwad. The CBI alleged the murder was politically motivated.