Beed sarpanch murder case: All-party march in Parbhani for arrest of all accused

Leaders of various political hues at an all-party rally in Parbhani on 4 January, Saturday demanded that the Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder case be fast-tracked and investigated thoroughly without any political pressure.

At least two MLAs from the ruling BJP and NCP demanded the invocation of stringent MCOCA and the arrest of all persons involved in the crime.

Some leaders from Opposition and ruling parties demanded resignation of NCP minister Dhananjay Munde alleging links between his aide Valmik Karad and the murder case.

Karad was arrested in the extortion case in connection with Deshmukh's murder. Seven persons have been arrested so far in the murder case.

Thousands participated in the morcha along the route from Nutan College ground to Shivaji Maharaj's statue in Parbhani.

Public representatives from the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) and ruling NCP, Maratha quota leader Manoj Jarange and family members of Santosh Deshmukh joined the march.

Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district, was abducted, tortured and murdered on 9 December prima facie for attempting to stop an extortion bid on an energy firm operating a windmill project in the region.

"People should stand firmly behind the Deshmukh family till they get justice. The accused in extortion and murder cases are the same because extortion was the prime reason. I request the chief minister to order the registration of a murder case against them. People who have helped the accused should also be arrested," Jarange said while addressing a gathering.

He said the Maratha community would not allow Munde to roam on the streets if the family of Santosh Deshmukh is harmed.

All accused are being arrested from Pune which means the ministers in the government are shielding them, he alleged and demanded that a narco test be conducted on them.

Police arrested three persons, including two absconding accused involved in Deshmukh's murder from Pune and Kalyan, officials said on Saturday.

"Future attacks on our community will be responded to in the same coin. We will not step back. If we do not stand by our community firmly, it will not survive," Jarange said.

NCP (SP) MLA Sandip Kshirsagar said a fast-track court trial, the resignation of Munde, and the capital sentence for the culprits are three demands of the opposition.

He said the situation in Beed changed for the better after the previous superintendent of police was transferred.

"However, the investigation stops where Walmik Karad is involved. Munde should be sacked till the matter reaches its logical conclusion," he said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP from Parbhani, Sanjay Jadhav, said the case charge sheet should be made watertight to ensure that the accused remain in jail.

"The government should not take this case lightly. There should be no loopholes in the chargesheet because of any political pressure. Those who have lost humanity because of money should be taught a lesson. So the charge sheet should be made strong, and getting it done is our responsibility," he said.

Jadhav also called for Munde's resignation on moral grounds.

BJP MLA Suresh Dhas demanded that the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime (MCOCA) Act be invoked against the accused.

NCP MLA Rajesh Vitekar demanded that whosoever is involved in the crime should not be spared.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Rahul Patil questioned the delay of 20 days in arresting the accused.

"The government has failed to stop the crime. The case should be tried in a fast-track court in a time-bound manner. The agitation will continue till the accused are hanged," he said.