Murder of Beed Sarpanch: Walmik Karad Charged Under MCOCA, Receives 14-Day Police Custody
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Synopsis
In response to the murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, Walmik Karad, an associate of Minister Dhananjay Munde, has been charged under MCOCA. The court has granted him 14-day judicial custody as protests escalate.
Key Takeaways
- Walmik Karad charged under MCOCA.
- Judicial custody granted for 14 days.
- Protests ongoing against the murder of Santosh Deshmukh.
- Opposition claims Karad is the mastermind.
- Increased police security in Beed.
Beed, Jan 14 (NationPress) In the wake of significant protests surrounding the assassination of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh from Beed district, the Kej Sessions Court has issued an order to charge Walmik Karad, a close associate of Nationalist Congress Party Minister Dhananjay Munde, under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
Karad, who is implicated in a Rs 2 crore extortion case associated with the sarpanch's murder, is currently in custody.
He turned himself in to the police in Pune on December 31.
The court has granted him a 14-day period of judicial custody, rather than custody by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The CID is actively probing the murder of Santosh Deshmukh as well as the extortion case linked to Karad, who is reportedly viewed by the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) as the chief conspirator behind the assassination of the Massajog sarpanch.
Previously, eight other individuals connected to Santosh Deshmukh's murder were also charged under MCOCA.
Following this, the MVA and family members of Santosh Deshmukh criticized the state government for allegedly protecting Karad, intensifying calls for his prosecution under MCOCA.
The opposition claims that Karad orchestrated the murder and devised the plan to eliminate Deshmukh.
Law enforcement has initiated an investigation into these claims.
In a related incident, Karad's mother alongside his supporters protested against his arrest, calling for his release.
The police have enacted prohibitory measures to prevent any disturbances and have bolstered security in the area.
Meanwhile, NCP President and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stated that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the two Deputy Chief Ministers, including Eknath Shinde, have taken a strong position that anyone involved in Santosh Deshmukh's murder will face consequences.
"All individuals connected to this heinous crime will receive severe punishment," he remarked.
Ajit Pawar also mentioned that the government has appointed a capable officer as the Beed Superintendent of Police to ensure law and order in the region.
Responding to inquiries regarding the MVA's call for the resignation of Minister Dhananjay Munde over alleged connections to Santosh Deshmukh's murder and the implementation of a crop insurance program for farmers, Ajit Pawar suggested that the ongoing investigations should be allowed to proceed.
