Suspended cop who made ‘Karad encounter’ claim sacked; arrested in SC/ST Act case

The Maharashtra government has dismissed police sub-inspector Ranjit Kalse, who alleged that he was offered a contract to kill key suspect Walmik Karad in the Beed sarpanch murder case, officials said on Friday.

Following his dismissal, the Shivaji Nagar police in Beed on Friday arrested Kalse in a case registered against him under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, an official said.

The order for the dismissal of Kalse, who was already under suspension, was issued under Article 311 (withdrawal of Presidential pleasure) of the Constitution, under which the government can dismiss any government employee without holding an inquiry.

The dismissed policeman may, however, approach Bombay High Court challenging the orders issued against him.

Kalse had made sensational claims that he was offered a hefty amount to kill Karad, a key accused in the murder of Massajog village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, who was abducted and tortured to death on 9 December 2024, allegedly for attempting to stop an extortion bid targeting an energy company.

Karad is among the eight persons arrested and booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

Speaking to reporters at Pune airport on Thursday night, Kalse reiterated his claim that he was given a contract to eliminate Karad in an encounter.

Kalse was under suspension, and a preliminary enquiry (PE) was underway against him.

A case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was registered against him for allegedly posting an objectionable comment on social media on 2 April.

While on the run to evade arrest, he posted videos on social media making sensational claims that were rubbished by police officials time and again.

In a recent video, he expressed his willingness to surrender before the police, and he was detained from a hotel in Beed on Friday, the official said.

During his interaction with reporters in Pune on Thursday, when Kalse was asked if he had evidence to back his claim, he said those who make such offers do so behind closed doors and ensure no trail is left behind.

He also said he rejected the "encounter" offer because the law must punish Karad if the latter is guilty in the case. Kalse had also claimed he was "kidnapped and taken to Barshi in Kolhapur" and that his duty schedule was "changed on polling day".

He claimed Rs 10 lakh was transferred into his account from a company linked to a former minister.