MM Kalburgi murder: Chargesheet filed, Supreme Court closes case seeking probe

The Supreme Court today disposed of the petition filed by the wife of slain scholar MM Kalburgi, noting that the case has been committed for trial before a Sessions Court.

The Bench of Justices Rohinton Nariman and Ravindra Bhat noted that the chargesheet in the Kalburgi murder case has been filed. Justice Nariman said,

"The SIT appointed by us states that a chargesheet has been filed in the case. Nothing in the matter survives so we are disposing the case"

The Court also took note that two of the main accused persons in the case are absconding and are yet to be traced. However, in light of the case being committed to trial, the plea before the Supreme Court has been wrapped up.

MM Kalburgi’s wife, Umadevi, had approached the Supreme Court seeking an investigation into his death. During one of the hearings, the State of Karnataka informed the Court that there appears to be a link between the deaths of Kalburgi and journalist Gauri Lankesh, who was gunned down in September 2017.

The Court had then expressed an inclination towards handing over the investigation in the deaths of Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare, MM Kalburgi, and Gauri Lankesh to one agency.

In February 2019, the Court directed that the probe into the death of Kalburgi be transferred to the same investigating team looking into the murder of Lankesh. Finding a similarity between the deaths, the Court said that the probe should be carried out by one Special Investigation Team (SIT).

It also directed that the probe be monitored by the Dharwad Bench of the Karnataka High Court.

Kalburgi was shot dead in Dharwad by two assailants who fled the scene of the crime on a motorcycle, back in August 30, 2015.

[Read Order]