Demand for Justice: Calls for Minister's Resignation Amid Murder Scandal

A delegation in Maharashtra demanded Minister Dhananjay Munde's removal for a fair probe into the murder of Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. Deshmukh was killed after resisting extortion by associates linked to Munde. Protesters demand resignations and accountability for police negligence amid rising extortion cases.

Maharashtra witnessed a tumultuous political scene on Monday as a delegation of leaders called for the removal of Minister Dhananjay Munde to ensure an impartial probe into the gruesome murder of Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. The delegation, comprising leaders such as Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar and BJP MLA Suresh Dhas, submitted a memorandum to Governor C P Radhakrishnan, highlighting the urgency of their demands.

Deshmukh, a sarpanch in Beed district, fell victim to a brutal murder on December 9, allegedly after attempting to prevent extortion activities linked to a windmill project. Investigations have led to the arrest of seven individuals, including Walmik Karad, an associate of NCP's Dhananjay Munde, accused of orchestrating the extortion scheme. The leaders' memorandum calls for Munde's resignation, charges against Karad, and accountability for police officers allegedly negligent in thwarting the crime.

Protests in Massajog followed the discovery of Deshmukh's body, with residents demanding justice and accountability. The leaders' plea to the governor comes amid escalating concerns about extortion during the Lok Sabha elections, as detailed in their memorandum. It stresses the need for an unpressured inquiry and action against those responsible, including allegations of preferential treatment and political influence on the investigation process.

(With inputs from agencies.)