Identified as Ravi, Vijay, Dhanraj, Bharat, Salim Mohammad Rafiq, and Gangadhar Gouli, the perpetrators face Rs 3 lakh fines alongside their death warrants, as pronounced by Judge Sadanand Nagappa Naik. Tight security blanketed the court premises, with the accused shuttled in under police escort.

Rewinding to the fateful night of October 7, 2025: Venkatesh, fresh from a religious gathering and dinner, was ambushed at 2 AM on Koppal Road. Assailants in a car collided with his bike, then unleashed a barrage of sword and rod strikes, leaving him lifeless by the roadside. Friend Ramu, a key witness, described the chilling pursuit and threats preceding the attack.

The murder traced back to a 2003 case where Venkatesh’s testimony helped nab suspects, enraging Ravi. Threats persisted via WhatsApp in 2024, per the victim’s father. Despite registering a case at Gangavati police station and frequent relocations for safety, tragedy struck.

Prosecutors built an ironclad case with 83 witness statements and a 927-page chargesheet after nabbing 12. Six co-accused walked free previously. Koppal SP R.L. Arasiddhi linked the vendetta directly to past events.

This death penalty underscores Karnataka’s zero-tolerance for orchestrated violence against public figures. It prompts reflection on safeguarding political workers amid rising animosities, with the ruling poised to face higher court scrutiny.