Santosh Deshmukh's killers won't be spared, says Fadnavis

The Maharashtra CM, who is also the state home minister, assured that the Deshmukh family will get justice.

Mumbai: In his first visit to Beed after he took over as Maharashtra chief minister for the third time, Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday assured that the killers of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh will not be spared.

Fadnavis, who is also the state home minister, assured that the Deshmukh family will get justice. 

"The government is committed to ensuring that the accused are given strict punishment…those involved would not be spared, be it anyone,” said Fadnavis at the function in Ashti in Beed district. 

This further compounds problems for NCP leader and state’s food, civil supplies and consumer protection minister Dhananjay Munde, who is the MLA from Parli.

Munde’s close aide Walmik Karad has been arrested in an alleged Rs two crore extortion case linked to Deshmukh’s murder. 

Deshmukh, a three-time sarpanch  of the Massajog village in Kaij tehsil of Beed was abducted, tortured and murdered on December 9 for putting up resistance against the extortion syndicate. 

Barring Munde, all the people’s representatives were present in the function presided over by Fadnavis and attended by water resources minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil.

Beed MP Bajarang Sonwane of NCP (SP), BJP MLAs - Suresh Dhas from Ashti and Namita Mundada from Kaij, NCP MLAs Vijaysinh Pandit from Georai and Prakasdada Solanke from Majalgaon and NCP (SP)’s Jaidutt Kshirsagar from Beed were present. 

Besides, state environment, climate change and animal husbandry minister Pankaja Munde, who is an MLC were present. 

Munde, however, could not make it for the function as he underwent an eye surgery. 

“I have undergone a minor surgery on my eye at Dr T P Lahane’s private hospital in Mumbai. The doctor has advised me to take care and rest for the next four to five days. I will be back in my office from Monday,” Munde posted on X. 

Over the last couple of months, the opposition parties and leaders and may from the ruling side as well are demanding the resignation of Munde.

They have called upon Fadnavis and deputy chief minister and NCP president Ajit Pawar calling for Munde’s ouster.

Munde is considered close to both Fadnavis and Pawar. 

Fadnavis, in his address,  also called for unity to transform the Beed district and the Marathwada region.