NCP Leader Jitendra Awhad Slams Maharashtra Government Over Beed Sarpanch Murder Probe

Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Jitendra Awhad on Monday strongly criticized the Maharashtra government for its handling of the investigation into the murder of Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. He accused the government of shielding Walmik Karad, an accused in the extortion case linked to the killing, and asserted that fear and mistrust were preventing citizens from filing complaints against him.

Deshmukh was abducted, tortured, and murdered on December 9 after he attempted to thwart an extortion bid targeting an energy firm involved in a windmill project in Beed district, approximately 380 kilometers from Mumbai. Authorities have since registered cases of murder and extortion related to the incident. Seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder, while three individuals, including Karad, a close aide of NCP minister Dhananjay Munde, have been detained in the extortion case.

Awhad Questions Government Transparency

"If Walmik Karad is not involved, the government must clearly state this to the people of Maharashtra. Why is the truth being hidden? Why is the public being kept in the dark?" Awhad asked during a press interaction. He alleged that families were dissuaded from lodging complaints due to Karad's influence.

“When Karad is eventually charged under MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) or booked for culpable homicide, I am confident that over 50 murder cases will surface. The day he is properly prosecuted, the extent of his crimes will be laid bare,” Awhad said, labeling the handling of the case a significant governance failure.

On Saturday, police invoked MCOCA against all eight accused in the sarpanch murder case, a move seen as an attempt to escalate the legal seriousness of the investigation.

Accusations of Politicization and Governance Failure

Awhad also accused the government, led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, of politicizing the issue. He questioned whether the administration intended to inflame tensions between the OBC and Maratha communities to serve its political agenda.

Addressing Ajit Pawar directly, Awhad highlighted allegations of corruption against Karad, including claims from farmers in Baramati that Karad extorted payments related to harvester deals.

“Ajit Dada, you often speak of your commitment to farmers’ welfare. How is it that a minister with such serious allegations against him continues to be protected? This government, which portrays itself as a caretaker of the people, lacks both compassion and accountability,” Awhad said.

The sarpanch’s murder and the alleged political connections of those involved have cast a shadow over the government, with demands for accountability growing louder from opposition leaders and the public.