Jalna: Shrikant Pangarkar, an accused in the 2017 murder of journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh, was elected as a corporator to the Jalna Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra on Friday, January 16, 2026.
Vote counting for elections to 29 civic bodies in the state, held a day earlier, is underway. Pangarkar contested as an Independent candidate from Ward 13 and defeated BJP nominee Raosaheb Dhoble.
According to election officials, Pangarkar secured 2,661 votes, while Dhoble received 2,477 votes. Except for the Shiv Sena, most major political parties fielded candidates against Pangarkar.
Gauri Lankesh was shot dead outside her home in Bengaluru on September 5, 2017, sparking nationwide outrage.
In August 2018, Pangarkar was arrested by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad under the Explosives Act, the Explosive Substances Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He was granted bail by the Karnataka High Court on September 4, 2024.
Pangarkar had earlier served as a member of the Jalna Municipal Council from 2001 to 2006, during the undivided Shiv Sena era. After being denied a party ticket in 2011, he joined the right-wing Hindu Janjagruti Samiti. The BJP is meanwhile moving towards securing control of the Jalna Municipal Corporation.
