Koppal Court Awards Death Penalty to Six in Brutal BJYM Leader Murder Case

Koppal, May 2026 : A local court in Gangavathi town of Koppal district in North Karnataka on Thursday awarded the death penalty to six individuals in connection with the brutal murder of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) leader Venkatesh Kurubara (34). The court also imposed a fine of ₹3 lakh on each of the convicts.

The convicted persons have been identified as Ravi, Vijay, Dhanraj, Bharat, Saleem Mohammad Rafeeq, and Gangadhara Gouli. The verdict was pronounced by Judge Sadananda Nagappa Naik after detailed hearings in the case.

The murder of Venkatesh Kurubara on October 7, 2025, in Gangavathi town had sent shockwaves across political and public circles due to its brutal nature and alleged background of personal enmity.

According to the prosecution, the accused had conspired and executed the killing in a highly planned and violent manner. Police had initially arrested 12 individuals in connection with the case and later filed a detailed 927-page chargesheet before the court.

During the trial, six accused were acquitted, including Karthik, Dadapeer, Mohammad Altaf, Mallikarjuna, Akkirotti Sharana, and Chaitra, after the court found insufficient evidence against them.

Ahead of the judgment, tight security arrangements were put in place around the Gangavathi court complex. The six convicts were brought to court in two vehicles under heavy police escort to prevent any untoward incident.

The court examined as many as 83 witnesses during the trial proceedings. Government prosecutor Nagalakshmi represented the prosecution and argued the case.

The incident took place around 2 a.m. near Leelavati Hospital on Koppal Road, when the attackers allegedly rammed Venkatesh’s motorcycle with a car. They then assaulted him with machetes and iron rods before dragging him to the roadside and killing him on the spot.

After committing the crime, the attackers attempted to flee towards Bengaluru. However, their vehicle’s tyre burst near HRS Colony, forcing them to abandon the car, which was later recovered along with the weapons used in the crime.

At the time of the attack, Venkatesh was returning home after attending a religious event and having dinner with friends. His friend Ramu, an eyewitness, stated that the assailants chased and threatened them before targeting Venkatesh.

Police investigations revealed that the murder stemmed from an old enmity linked to a 2003 case, in which Venkatesh had assisted police in arresting suspects connected to Ravi, one of the prime convicts. This reportedly led to a long-standing grudge.

Venkatesh’s father, Hampanya Jantakal, had earlier alleged that Ravi had threatened his son over WhatsApp messages in 2024. A police complaint had been registered at Gangavathi Nagar Police Station, but Venkatesh reportedly continued to live under fear, frequently changing locations and staying with friends for safety.

Karnataka BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra had expressed deep condolences over the killing, calling it a “heartbreaking and shocking incident.”

The court’s verdict brings a major conclusion to a case that had created significant political and public concern in the region.