A Bengaluru court has granted bail to Sharad Bhausaheb Kalaskar, an accused in journalist Gauri Lankesh’s murder, marking a key point in the case. All 17 accused are now out on bail, except one who is absconding. The court stressed the importance of speedy trials under Article 21, allowing Kalaskar’s release based on parity.
Bengaluru: A Bengaluru court has granted bail to another accused in the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh, marking a significant development in the high-profile case. On January 8, Principal City Civil and Sessions Judge Muralidhara Pai B granted bail to Sharad Bhausaheb Kalaskar, who had been in custody since September 2018.
With this order, all 17 accused persons facing trial are now out on bail. However, one accused, Vikas Patil, remains absconding and is yet to be arrested.
Kalaskar, who has maintained his innocence, sought bail on the ground of parity, arguing that most of his co-accused had already been granted bail. His legal team also highlighted the prolonged trial process, asserting that it was unlikely to conclude anytime soon.
The prosecution opposed the bail application, citing Kalaskar’s history as a repeat offender and arguing that his release could lead to potential criminal activities. Despite this, the court ruled in Kalaskar’s favor.
The court observed,
“As already pointed out, as on this day all the accused facing trial in the case except the Petitioner are on bail. As such the Petitioner is entitled for bail even on the ground of parity. Further, admittedly the Petitioner is in custody in the case since 4.9.2018.”
The court emphasized the importance of speedy trials, noting that prolonged detention without trial undermines Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to personal liberty.
In July 2024, the Karnataka High Court granted bail to three accused, followed by four more in August 2024. Most of the accused cited parity with others who had already secured bail, including Mohan Nayak, who was granted bail in December 2023 due to delays in the trial.
Gauri Lankesh, a prominent journalist and activist, was shot dead outside her home in West Bengaluru on the night of September 5, 2017, by two motorcycle-borne assailants. The case, which shocked the nation, has seen significant delays in legal proceedings.
Case Title – Sharad Bhausaheb Kalaskar vs State
Read the judgement here:
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