Beed Sarpanch Murder Case to Be Tried in Fast-Track Court

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announces expedited trial as chargesheet implicates minister's aide in murder linked to extortion plot.

The murder of Santosh Deshmukh, sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed, will be tried in a fast-track court, as announced by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
A 1,400-page chargesheet filed by the CID names Walmik Karad, an aide of NCP minister Dhananjay Munde, as the mastermind behind the murder, tied to a ₹2 crore extortion demand from a wind energy company.
The chargesheet includes evidence such as voice samples, CCTV footage, and witness statements linking Karad and seven others to the crime and extortion scheme.
Deshmukh was murdered on December 9, 2024, after intervening to stop threats and violence against the company, which had refused to pay the extortion demand.
Critics have questioned the investigation's thoroughness, citing an absconding accused and unrecovered mobile phones, while political pressure mounts for action against Minister Munde.