Gauri Lankesh Murder Accused Shrikant Pangarkar Wins Jalna Civic Polls

• Shrikant Pangarkar, accused in the Gauri Lankesh murder and Nalasopara bomb blast cases, won the Jalna Municipal Corporation election from Ward No. 13 D.
• Pangarkar, a staunch Hindutva activist, stated he received "justice in the court of the people" despite his ongoing legal cases.
• The BJP secured a majority in the Jalna Municipal Corporation, winning over 41 out of 65 seats across 16 wards.
• Pangarkar was previously arrested by the Anti-Terrorism Squad in 2018 for possessing bomb-making materials and was later released on bail.
• Gauri Lankesh, a journalist, was shot dead in Bengaluru on September 5, 2017, with extremist religious activists alleged to be behind the attack.

Why It Matters: Accused in high-profile cases, Shrikant Pangarkar's victory in Jalna civic polls sparks nationwide debate.