Shrikant Pangarkar, an accused in the 2017 murder of journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh, has won the Jalna Municipal Corporation election in Maharashtra as an Independent candidate.

The results were declared on Friday, January 16, 2026, as counting of votes for 29 civic bodies across the State continued.

Pangarkar contested from electoral ward number 13 and defeated BJP candidate Raosaheb Dhoble.

According to election officials, Pangarkar secured 2,661 votes, while Dhoble received 2,477 votes. Several major political parties, except Shiv Sena, had fielded candidates against him.

Gauri Lankesh was shot dead outside her home in Bengaluru on September 5, 2017, an incident that sparked nationwide outrage.

Pangarkar was arrested by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad in August 2018 under the Explosives Act, Explosive Substances Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

He was granted bail by the Karnataka High Court in September 2024.

Pangarkar had earlier served as a member of the Jalna Municipal Council between 2001 and 2006, when the Shiv Sena was still undivided.

After being denied a party ticket in 2011, he joined the right-wing Hindu Janjagruti Samiti.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party is moving closer to gaining control of the Jalna Municipal Corporation.