"No matter who it is, action will be taken": Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar on Sarpanch murder case
Jan 14, 2025
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 14 : Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has vowed to take action against those responsible for the murder of Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Masajog village in Beed district. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the murder, and the Chief Minister is closely monitoring the case.
"The Chief Minister is constantly paying attention to this. The Chief Minister has been saying from the beginning that whoever is guilty, action will be taken. His family is worried because it has been a month. The investigation is being done through a judge. This is a brutal murder, no matter who it is, action will be taken. This is the state of Shahu, Phule and Ambedkar. This is an act that shames humanity. Whoever is the accused, he will not be killed...Law and order should be maintained...," Pawar told reporters here.
On December 9, Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of the Masajog village in Beed district was murdered after he allegedly opposed an extortion attempt targeting an energy firm installing windmills in the area.
The extortion attempt was reportedly led by local leader Vishnu Chate, who demanded Rs 2 crore from the company. Deshmukh's intervention allegedly led to his abduction, torture, and subsequent murder.
The police have filed three FIRs in connection with the case: one for Deshmukh's abduction and murder, another for assault on a windmill firm's security guard by locals, and a third for the Rs 2 crore extortion bid targeting the firm.
On January 6, NCP SP leader Sharad Pawar requested Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to ensure safety and security for all public representatives protesting the death of Santosh Deshmukh in Beed.
Earlier, Fadnavis said that none of the accused in the Beed sarpanch murder case would be spared, emphasizing his focus on justice over political controversies.
"We will not spare any accused. We will find them. Today, I discussed the matter with Santosh Deshmukh's brother over the phone and assured him that the police will identify the guilty and ensure they are punished. The police will act based on evidence, and those against whom evidence is found will not be spared. I do not wish to be involved in the politics surrounding this case," the Maharashtra CM said.
