The Karnataka High Court at Bengaluru has cancelled the bail of accused No.9, Ashwath S, in the high-profile murder case of BJP leader Yogesh Gowda. The decision was delivered on August 18, 2025, by Justice M.I. Arun in Criminal Petition No.7110 of 2025, filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Background of the Case
The case dates back to June 15, 2016, when Yogesh Gowda was murdered in Dharwad. Initially, six people were charge-sheeted, but later the investigation was transferred to the CBI in 2019. The agency found that the earlier accused were not the real culprits and named additional accused, including Ashwath S (Accused No.9) and former minister Vinay R Kulkarni (Accused No.15), as conspirators.
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All accused were granted bail during the trial. However, bail of some was later cancelled, including that of accused No.15 by the Supreme Court and accused No.16 by the trial court. The present petition challenged the trial court’s refusal to cancel the bail of Ashwath S.
PW.10 complained of receiving threats through phone calls from a number linked to Ashwath. Call records showed frequent use of this number by the accused.
PW.30 stated in an email to the court that Ashwath threatened her inside the court corridor:
“He made a very dangerous gesture at me... and said the police and government are ours. You will face consequences if you speak against me.”
The trial court, considering the seriousness of her complaint, directed the CBI to provide her security.
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Similarly, PW.40 alleged that Ashwath, along with others, threatened him inside the court premises. Based on his plea, the trial court also ordered witness protection.
Justice M.I. Arun emphasized that cancellation of bail requires examining whether the accused misused his liberty. The Court noted that Ashwath is a “rowdy sheeter” with pending criminal cases, and the material produced, including call records and witness statements, raised reasonable apprehension of interference with justice.
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The Court directed the trial court to complete the witnesses’ evidence without delay and clarified that Ashwath may apply for fresh bail once their testimonies are concluded. He has been given one week to surrender.
Case No.: Criminal Petition No.7110 of 2025
Case Title: Central Bureau of Investigation v. Ashwath S.
