Shrikant Pangarkar, a former Shiv Sainik member and one of the accused in the 2017 assassination of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh, has officially rejoined the Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Pangkar was welcomed by senior party leader and former state minister Arjun Khotkar in Jalna on Friday.
According to Hotkar, Pangakkar is a former Shiv Sena member who has now returned to the party. He has been appointed as the in-charge of the assembly poll campaign for Jalna constituency.
Hotkar himself has expressed a desire to contest from the Jalna assembly seat, despite seat-sharing arrangements within the ruling Mahayutthir alliance, which includes the Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party and Ajit Pawar’s National Communist Party faction. in negotiations.
Pangakkar allegedly involved in Gauri Lankesh murder case
Gauri Lankesh, a well-known journalist and outspoken critic of right-wing extremism, was shot dead outside his residence in Bengaluru on September 5, 2017. Team (SIT) identified Shrikant Pangarkar as a close associate of the prime suspect, Amol Kale.
According to the investigation, Kher received orders from Maharashtra personnel to carry out the assassination. Pangaka was found to be associated with Kale both before and after the murder, suggesting a possible connection to the crime. He was arrested in August 2018 in connection with the case.
Legal fights and bail
Pangakkar, who served as Jalna municipal councilor under the undivided Shiv Sena from 2001 to 2006, left the party in 2011 after being denied an electoral ticket. He later joined the right-wing group Hindu Janjagruti Samiti.
In September 2023, Pangakkar was granted bail by the Karnataka High Court after being imprisoned for several years for his alleged involvement in the Lankesh murder case. He was released just a day before the sixth anniversary of Gauri Lankesh’s assassination.
Other charges against Pangaka
Pangarkar is also implicated in a 2018 case involving arms transportation and conspiracy to attack the Sunburn Music Festival in Pune. He and four other co-accused face charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Indian Penal Code (IPC), Explosives Act and Explosives Act.
However, the Bombay High Court granted bail to him and his co-accused in August 2023, citing insufficient evidence to prove the conspiracy charge.