Walmik Karad, a close aide of Maharashtra minister Dhananjay Munde, as he surrenders before the Crime Investigation Department (CID) in a case linked to the murder of a sarpanch in Beed district of Maharashtra, in Pune, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

An all-party delegation led by former MP Sambhaji Raje on Monday (January 6, 2025) urged Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan to intervene in the Massajog village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder case and ensure transparency in the investigation. NCP supremo Sharad Pawar wrote a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, seeking protection for public representatives.

The appeal submitted to the Governor, included demand for Minister Dhananjay Munde’s resignation “considering the involvement and possible interference in this case” and the accused Walmik Karad to be booked under BNS 103 (old IPC 302 murder). NCP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal on Monday dismissed demands for the resignation of Minister Munde, calling them premature and unwarranted.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Mr. Bhujbal said Mr. Fadnavis had already assured a comprehensive investigation into the case.

Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed, was abducted, tortured, and murdered on December 9, allegedly for opposing an extortion attempt targeting an energy firm operating a windmill project. Mr. Karad, an associate of Mr. Munde, has been arrested in connection with the extortion case.

Bhujbal’s stand

“The Chief Minister has assured a thorough inquiry. Action will be taken against anyone found guilty, regardless of their connections to the political establishment. So, why demand Mr. Munde’s resignation before the investigation even concludes? Has the probe revealed anything incriminating so far? Calling for someone’s resignation before any findings is unfair,” Mr. Bhujbal said.

Mr. Sambhaji Raje called Deshmukh’s killing the murder of humanity and it was beyond the caste-religion dynamics. “The inhuman torture and brutal killing of Deshmukh reflects the deteriorating law and order situation in Beed. The charges under which Karad is booked can easily get him out of jail, so we requested the Governor to ensure he is charged under Section 302.”

NCP (SP) leader Bajrang Sonawane, Jitendra Awhad, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar, BJP legislator Suresh Dhas, Minister of State, Economic Development Board Narendra Annasaheb Patil, and others joined Mr. Sambhajiraje.

Alarming rise

The legislators also pointed out that Beed has seen an alarming rise in terror-driven activities, allegedly motivated by “political selfishness and the misuse of political power”. “Extortion, kidnappings, and other heinous crimes have become rampant, and the police and district administration seem complicit due to political influence,” as per the appeal letter.

“The accused should be punished irrespective of caste, religion, class and connections. Given his [Karad’s] connections, the lack of impartiality in the investigation is evident,” said Mr. Wadettiwar, adding that Karad was a big man, and he earned one crore rupees per day. “How can he sleep on ground, so receiving all the privileges.”

They also requested the Governor to take initiatives to curb extortion and hooliganism in Beed.

The legislators also listed the sequence of the events. On May 28, 2024, Sunil Shinde, an officer from Avaada Power Pvt. Ltd. Company was allegedly kidnapped but rescued by the Ahilyanagar police. However, the Beed police failed to take proactive measures.

Mr. Karad allegedly threatened Avaada Company officials, demanding ₹2 crore. On December 6, 2024, Mr. Karad’s men assaulted security personnel at a storeyard in Massajog. On December 9, 2024, Deshmukh was kidnapped, tortured, and brutally killed.

Addressing speculation about his stance, Mr. Bhujbal dismissed claims that he was leveraging the situation to push for his own entry into the Cabinet. He stated, “I have never and will never demand someone’s resignation to secure a position for myself. That is not my way of functioning.”

Cites Telgi case

Mr. Bhujbal also drew parallels to his own experience during the 2003 Abdul Karim Telgi fake stamp paper scam case. “In 2003, I was instrumental in catching Telgi and filing a case under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). Later, accusations were levelled against me, and I was forced to resign as Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister. Despite being in the ruling party, I took the matter to the Supreme Court, and the case was handed over to the CBI under the BJP-led Central government,” he said.

The NCP leader said that after a thorough investigation, the CBI found no evidence against him, and his name was never mentioned in the chargesheet. “I lost my position, endured damage to my reputation, and suffered emotional distress. However, after my name was cleared, Sharad Pawar reinstated me as a minister. Having been through such an ordeal, I understand how unfair it is to demand someone’s resignation without solid evidence,” Mr. Bhujbal added.

Meanwhile, NCP supremo Mr. Sharad Pawar wrote a letter to Mr. Fadnavis, drawing his attention towards safety of public representatives, who demanded detailed investigation into the murder case as well as previous cases associated with Mr. Karad.

“It has been a month that Santosh Deshmukh was murdered. Delayed action has led to perspective that the murder is a massive criminal conspiracy. This incident is not isolated, as Beed-Parli region has witnessed similar heinous crimes in the past. The lives of many public representatives, who have demanded to investigate previous cases and providing evidence to the government, are in danger. So, the Chief Minister needs to take cognisance of their security and provide them necessary protection,” Mr. Pawar posted on X.