Karnataka court awards death penalty to 6 in BJYM leader Venkatesh Kurubara murder
Synopsis
A Karnataka sessions court has sentenced six men to death for the gruesome 2025 murder of BJYM leader Venkatesh Kurubara — a killing rooted in a grudge going back over two decades. The verdict, backed by 83 witnesses and a 927-page chargesheet, is one of the swiftest capital punishment awards in recent Karnataka political crime cases.
Key Takeaways
A Gangavathi sessions court on 30 April 2025 sentenced six persons to death for the murder of BJYM leader Venkatesh Kurubara , aged 34.
The convicts — Ravi, Vijay, Dhanraj, Bharat, Saleem Mohammad Rafeeq , and Gangadhara Gouli — were each fined ₹3 lakh .
Venkatesh was murdered on 7 October 2025 near Leelavati Hospital, Gangavathi , attacked with machetes and iron rods.
The trial involved 83 witnesses and a 927-page chargesheet ; 6 of 12 accused were acquitted.
The murder reportedly stemmed from a 2003 grudge held by convict Ravi after Venkatesh helped police arrest his associates.
BJP Karnataka President B.Y.
Vijayendra had called the killing heartbreaking; the case triggered widespread political tension.
A sessions court in Gangavathi town, Koppal district, North Karnataka, on Thursday, 30 April 2025, awarded the death penalty to six persons convicted in the murder of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) leader Venkatesh Kurubara, aged 34. The verdict, delivered by Judge Sadananda Nagappa Naik, brings closure to a case that had shaken political circles in the region since the brutal killing on 7 October 2025.
The Convicts and the Sentence
The six persons awarded the death sentence have been identified as Ravi, Vijay, Dhanraj, Bharat, Saleem Mohammad Rafeeq, and Gangadhara Gouli. In addition to capital punishment, the court imposed a fine of ₹3 lakh on each of the convicts. Government Prosecutor Nagalakshmi appeared for the prosecution throughout the trial.
Of the 12 accused originally arrested, six others — Karthik, Dadapeer, Mohammad Altaf, Mallikarjuna, Akkirotti Sharana, and Chaitra — were acquitted by the court at an earlier stage. During the trial, the court examined 83 witnesses, and police had filed a 927-page chargesheet in the case.
How the Murder Unfolded
According to the prosecution, Venkatesh Kurubara was attacked around 2 am near Leelavati Hospital on Koppal Road in Gangavathi on 7 October 2025. He was returning from dinner with friends after attending a religious event when a gang in a car deliberately rammed his motorcycle and assaulted him with machetes and iron rods. He was dragged to the roadside and hacked to death.
The attackers attempted to flee towards Bengaluru, but their car suffered a tyre burst in HRS Colony, where the vehicle was later recovered along with the deadly weapons. An eyewitness, Ramu, a friend of the deceased, told investigators that the gang had threatened and chased them before launching the attack on Venkatesh.
Background: A Grudge Rooted in 2003
Koppal Superintendent of Police Ram L Arasiddhi had previously stated that the murder stemmed from a 2003 police case in which Venkatesh had helped arrest key suspects linked to the convict Ravi, who reportedly held a grudge against him ever since. According to Venkatesh's father, Hampanya Jantakal, Ravi had threatened his son over WhatsApp as recently as 2024. A complaint was filed at Gangavathi Nagar Police Station, but Venkatesh reportedly lived in constant fear, frequently changing his location and staying with friends for safety.
Security and Political Reaction
Ahead of the verdict, tight security was deployed around the Gangavathi court complex. The six convicts were brought to court in two separate vehicles under strict police protection. Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President B.Y. Vijayendra had earlier expressed deep condolences following the killing, describing it as heartbreaking. The case had triggered significant political tension across the state.
With the death sentence now awarded, the convicts are expected to appeal before a higher court, as is standard procedure in capital punishment cases under Indian law.
Point of View
A complaint filed at a police station, and a victim who reportedly lived in fear for months before being killed. The system had prior warning and did not prevent the murder. The death sentence addresses the crime; it does not answer why the earlier complaint failed to protect Venkatesh Kurubara.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Venkatesh Kurubara and why was he killed?
Venkatesh Kurubara was a 34-year-old leader of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) in Gangavathi, Karnataka. He was murdered on 7 October 2025 reportedly due to a long-standing personal enmity — specifically, a grudge held by convict Ravi stemming from a 2003 police case in which Venkatesh had helped arrest Ravi's associates.
What sentence was awarded in the Venkatesh Kurubara murder case?
A sessions court in Gangavathi, Koppal district, awarded the death penalty to six convicts on 30 April 2025. Each convict was also fined ₹3 lakh. The verdict was delivered by Judge Sadananda Nagappa Naik.
Who are the six persons sentenced to death in the case?
The six convicts sentenced to death are Ravi, Vijay, Dhanraj, Bharat, Saleem Mohammad Rafeeq, and Gangadhara Gouli. Six other accused — Karthik, Dadapeer, Mohammad Altaf, Mallikarjuna, Akkirotti Sharana, and Chaitra — were acquitted by the court.
How was Venkatesh Kurubara attacked?
Venkatesh was attacked around 2 am on 7 October 2025 near Leelavati Hospital on Koppal Road. A gang in a car rammed his motorcycle and assaulted him with machetes and iron rods before dragging him to the roadside and hacking him to death. The attackers fled but abandoned their car in HRS Colony after a tyre burst.
What happens next after the death sentence is awarded?
Under Indian law, death sentences are subject to mandatory confirmation by the High Court. The convicts are also expected to appeal the verdict. The case will now move to the Karnataka High Court for review before any sentence can be carried out.
