The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday sought imposition of life sentence without remission for Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni, who was on April 15 convicted for murdering a BJP leader, 26-year-old Yogeshgouda Goudar, in Dharward in 2016.

Meanwhile, Kulkarni’s advocate pleaded for minimum sentence while citing his social services, political background and responsibilities towards his family members, particularly children.

Santhosh Gajanan Bhat, judge of the special court of sessions for criminal cases against former and present MPs and MLAs, who heard the arguments on quantum of sentence to be imposed on 17 convicted persons, including Kulkarni, said that he would pronounce quantum of sentence on April 17.

Earlier, CBI’s counsel said that the agency would not press for capital punishment, but urge for life sentence without remission as Kulkarni had not only engaged contract killers for taking the life of a young person, but also misused State machinery as he was a Minister during that time. He had managed production of ‘dummy assailants’ to shield original killers before the case was transferred to the CBI.

The court was also informed by the CBI’s counsel that Kulkarni misused his position for personal gain by influencing the police department and other officials and even the office of public prosecutor was not spared to tamper with evidence.

However, advocate for Kulkarni argued that as conviction was based on circumstantial evidences, there remains a place for ‘innocence’ requiring the court to award a minimum possible sentence. He being chosen by the people in the last election is the evidence that the people repose faith in him, the advocate said, while also pointing out his social services.