Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde Resigns Over Aide's Alleged Role in Sarpanch Murder

The resignation follows public outrage and a charge sheet implicating Munde's close associate in the brutal killing of Beed's sarpanch, Santosh Deshmukh.

Dhananjay Munde, Maharashtra's Food and Civil Supplies Minister, stepped down after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed him to resign.
The resignation was prompted by a charge sheet linking Munde's aide, Walmiki Karad, to the December 2024 murder of Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.
Graphic videos and images of the murder, showing Deshmukh being tortured and killed, went viral on social media, intensifying public outcry.
A high-level meeting involving CM Fadnavis and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar finalized the decision to seek Munde's resignation to mitigate political fallout.
Opposition leaders and citizens continue to demand accountability, with some calling for Munde to be named a co-accused in the case.