Mangaluru :  The BJP leaders have welcomed CBI detained former Karnataka minister and Congress leader Vinay Kulkarni and taken him into custody for interrogation, in connection with the 2016 murder case.

Former minister and Congress leader Vinay Kulkarni has been reportedly taken into custody by sleuths of CBI in Dharwad on Thursday morning in connection with the murder of former Zilla Panchayat member Yogeeshgouda Goudar in 2016.

Reacting to the arrest of Vinay Kulkarni by CBI, chief minister B S Yediyurappa said, Kulkarni is an accused in the murder case of Yogesh Gowda. That is why CBI has arrested him. CBI has got evidence that is why they have taken him into custody. Everyone’s intention is that the family of slain Yogesh Gowda should get justice at least now. It is absolutely false propaganda that Vinay Kulkarni is going to join BJP.”

Mr. Kulkarni has been taken to Dharwad Town Police Station by the CBI sleuths and is reportedly being questioned.

CBI sleuths have also taken into custody Vijaya Kulkarni, the younger brother of Mr Vinay Kulkarni. He is also being questioned at suburban police station in Dharwad

Yogeeshgouda Goudar, then a zilla panchayat member from BJP was hacked to death in his gymnasium in Dharwad in June, 2016.

Following a plea by elder brother of Yogeeshgouda Goudar, Gurunathgouda, the case was handed over to CBI for investigation. Mr. Gurunathgouda has made several allegations against top officials and a former minister saying that they met him seeking a truce and even threatened him. He had also alleged few of tampering the evidence connected to the case.

The BJP leaders too had demanded a CBI inquiry then alleging involvement of Congress leaders including the then minister Vinay Kulkarni. While the then Congress government declined to hand it over to CBI, the BJP led government handed it over to CBI after coming to power.