CM Fadnavis Declares Judicial Inquiries into Beed and Parbhani Events

Nagpur, Dec 20 (NationPress) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday declared a judicial inquiry to be conducted by a retired judge into the alarming situation in Beed district, where law and order has significantly worsened due to escalating crimes, extortion, and the dominance of the land mafia.

Additionally, a Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by an officer of the rank of Inspector General, will investigate the murder of Santosh Deshmukh, a young sarpanch from Massajog village in Beed district.

Both inquiries are expected to conclude within the next three to six months, and the government has mandated the police to carry out regular operations aimed at reducing crimes and restoring law and order in the Beed area.

Fadnavis also announced the transfer of the Superintendent of Police in Beed, citing failures in managing the situation following the murder of Santosh Deshmukh.

Furthermore, he pledged an aid of Rs 10 lakh to Deshmukh's family.

During his response to a debate under Rule 101 regarding the murder and the subsequent violence in Parbhani, Fadnavis stated that the sarpanch's killing was not an isolated incident.

“This issue has deep-seated roots. We must eradicate the lawlessness in Beed. Avada Green has made significant investments in Beed, and some individuals are demanding payments for various works or extortion money,” he stated.

“The suspects approached the company in Massajog village. They first assaulted the watchman, then the manager, and finally confronted Santosh Deshmukh. As the suspects were from a neighboring village, locals, along with Deshmukh, retaliated against them. The incident was captured on video and went viral,” he explained.

“On December 9, Deshmukh and his cousin were on their way. A black Scorpio intercepted their vehicle after the toll booth. They smashed the driver’s side window and then the passenger side. Deshmukh was beaten inside the car and outside. His cousin was communicating with Vishnu Mahadev Chate, who assured him Deshmukh would be released, but that did not happen. For clarification, Deshmukh’s eyes were not burned; he was punched in the face,” Fadnavis clarified.

“Regardless of whether Walmik Karad is the mastermind behind this case, he will face consequences,” Fadnavis asserted.

Both ruling and opposition members accused Walmik Karad of establishing a parallel government through fear.

The opposition claimed that despite multiple offenses against him, Walmik Karad remained free.

The police have yet to take action against Walmik Karad, even after an extortion charge was filed related to Deshmukh’s murder.

“The chaos being instigated in Beed district is alarming. The Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) will be applied against all involved. Anyone even remotely connected to Deshmukh's murder will face similar actions. A special operation will be initiated to eliminate all criminal elements and cartels,” announced CM Fadnavis.

In the case of the Parbhani incident, CM Fadnavis revealed a judicial inquiry into the death of Somnath Suryavanshi, a Dalit youth who died in judicial custody.

Suryavanshi was involved in the protests following the desecration of the Constitution.

He clarified that Suryavanshi, in his statement, denied being assaulted by the police, although he was experiencing breathlessness.

“Somnath Suryavanshi, a law student, passed away. He informed the magistrate that he was not beaten by the police. Video evidence during his custody indicates he was not assaulted. However, his post-mortem reports reveal he suffered from breathlessness and other bone injuries. A retired judge will conduct a thorough investigation into the entire case,” he added.

CM Fadnavis mentioned that Dattarao Pawar, who has been mentally ill and under treatment since 2012, was involved in the desecration of the Constitution.

A four-doctor committee reported that Pawar was suffering from mental disorders and required ongoing psychiatric treatment.

The chief minister noted that before the desecration of the Constitution, a Sajal Hindu Samaj march was held in the morning concerning attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.

“The Parbhani incident is not a conflict between Hindus and Dalits. The majority were peacefully protesting, but only around 200 individuals resorted to violence. No combing operations were conducted as I coordinated with local police. Police Inspector Ashok Ghorband has been suspended for employing excessive force,” he declared.

He announced an aid of Rs 5 lakh to the family of Vijay Wakode, a Dalit activist who was working to maintain peace following the violence after the Constitution's desecration.