Murder and minister’s resignation: How a Sarpanch’s murder in Beed landed Dhananjay Munde in soup

Beed Sarpanch murder case: Chargesheet filed in sarpanch murder case, Maharashtra minister resigns, aide arrested, and MCOCA invoked against accused.

A chilling murder of Sarpanch in Maharashtra’s Beed on December 9 last year (2024) had sent shockwaves around the nation where Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village, was killed. Reportedly, Deshmukh (45) was abducted, tortured and murdered on December 9 after he tried to stop an extortion attempt targeting an energy company, the investigation revealed.

Reportedly, Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde has resigned, after his close aide Walmik Karad was named as an accused in the sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder case.

In a post on X, Mr. Munde also said he was deeply saddened after seeing photographs related to the gruesome murder of Santosh Deshmukh. He added that he resigned as per his conscience and cited health reasons as well.

On February 27, a 1,200-page charge sheet was filed in a district court by Crime Investigation Department (CID) of state police and three cases, relating to the sarpanch’s murder, attempt to extort money from Avaada company and an assault on security guard of the firm, were registered.

Furthermore, the police have invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the accused in the cases. While one of the accused is still at large, seven persons have been arrested so far and booked under the MCOCA.

A thorough probe into the murder of the sarpanch revealed that one of the close aides of Mr. Munde landed in the cops net in connection with the case. Mr. Munde’s aide Walmik Karad was arrested for his alleged role in the murder.

Following the revelation, opposition parties have been seeking Mr. Munde’s resignation. He held the portfolios of food and civil supplies.