Karnataka assembly speaker UT Khader stated that a decision on disqualifying Dharwad MLA Vinay Kulkarni would be taken only after his office receives official communication regarding the life sentence awarded to him.
Kulkarni was sentenced to life imprisonment on April 15 by a special court in Bengaluru for his involvement in the murder of BJP leader Yogesh Goudar in Dharwad on June 15, 2016.
Khader indicated that the MLA may continue in office if he chooses to challenge the conviction within the legally permitted time.
Under section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, a legislator sentenced to imprisonment of not less than six months is disqualified from the date of conviction and remains disqualified for six years after release.
The special court made strong observations on the role of a legislator in society while sentencing Kulkarni, criticising the conduct of three police officers who admitted to giving false evidence under oath before a magistrate.
The court ordered registration of perjury cases against the three officers and several private individuals, including Vijay Kulkarni, the MLA’s brother, who also turned hostile during the trial.
