New Delhi, June 10 (Reporter) The Supreme Court here on Monday upheld the decision to frame charges against Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni in the murder case of former BJP worker Yogesh Goudar. This decision, reinforcing the Karnataka High Court's earlier ruling, marks a significant development in a case fraught with political intrigue and allegations of foul play. The apex court’s Vacation Bench, comprising Justices PV Sanjay Kumar and Augustine George Masih, dismissed Kulkarni’s plea, which sought to overturn the Karnataka High Court’s affirmation of the trial court’s charges. The courtroom was tense as Senior Advocate Siddhartha Dave, representing Kulkarni, tried to withdraw the plea, sensing the court's firm stance. Justice Kumar, visibly irked, remarked, "This court has become a gambling court," reflecting his frustration with what he perceived as Kulkarni’s attempts to manipulate the judicial process. The roots of this tragic tale trace back to June 2016, when Goudar, an elected member of the Dharwad Zilla Panchayat, was brutally killed in his gym. The initial investigation by the Karnataka Police led to the arrest of six individuals. However, in 2019, the BJP-led government escalated the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), adding a new layer of complexity to the case. By 2020, the CBI had arrested Kulkarni, who was subsequently chargesheeted. December 2023 marked the trial court's decision to frame charges against him, a move contested by Kulkarni through a petition. This petition was dismissed by the Karnataka High Court on April 8. The High Court outlined a chilling narrative of conspiracy, pointing to an altercation during a Panchayat meeting in April 2016 as the catalyst for Goudar's murder. The court found compelling evidence linking Kulkarni to the crime, noting his actions before and after the incident. The prosecution argued convincingly that Kulkarni's involvement could be inferred from his behaviour, further supported by evidence suggesting his connection to offences under the Arms Act. The High Court's decision highlighted the drawn-out nature of the trial, with the accused repeatedly approaching the courts since the murder occurred. Despite these legal battles, the Supreme Court's dismissal of Kulkarni's latest appeal cemented his path to face charges...////...