In a significant move, the brother of murdered sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh has petitioned the Bombay High Court to remove NCP leader Dhananjay Munde from his ministerial position in the Maharashtra cabinet. The petition aims to ensure a fair investigation into the murder, alleging that Munde had connections with criminal elements involved in the incident.
Santosh Deshmukh, the former sarpanch of Massajog village, was abducted and killed on December 9, reportedly for resisting an extortion scheme targeting a local windmill company in Beed district. The crime has drawn widespread attention, with accusations from opposition parties, including an MLA from BJP, suggesting that Munde maintained close ties with his aide, Walmik Karad, who is currently absconding and named in the FIR related to the extortion case.
Dhananjay Deshmukh, the victim’s brother, filed the criminal writ in the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court on Monday. His advocate, Shomitkumar Salunke, stated, “The petitioner is pressing for the immediate cancellation of Dhananjay Munde’s ministerial post to eliminate any potential government pressure on the ongoing investigation.”
The petition also calls for legal action against Walmik Karad, urging the court to book him under sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita for murder and criminal conspiracy, and to apply provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) 1999.
“The petitioner seeks a clear and unbiased path to justice for his brother, without interference from any political figures linked to the crime,” added Salunke.
