Santosh Deshmukh: The murder of Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Masajog town in Beed district, has taken a new turn after shocking revelations in the Crime Investigation Department (CID) chargesheet. The chargesheet, filed in the Beed court last week, mentions the extreme brutality meted out to Deshmukh after his murder and has made the case a topic of political discussion in Maharashtra.
According to the chargesheet, the accused recorded 15 videos and took eight photographs while torturing Deshmukh. They also made two WhatsApp video calls during the attack. These videos, ranging from two seconds to over two minutes in duration, show Deshmukh being beaten and humiliated. The attackers used a 41-inch gas pipe with a handle, a press pole with five clutch wires, wooden sticks and sharp weapons to injure him. The sarpanch was forced to sit on the ground in a semi-nude state and was beaten with kicks, punches and other objects. In one of the videos, one of the accused is seen driving a car at Deshmukh while his supporters shout slogans. In another clip, one of the attackers is seen urinating on the severely injured victim.
On December 9, 2024, six men abducted Deshmukh from Dongaon toll chowk and took him away in an SUV, followed by another vehicle. The same evening he was found unconscious at Daithana Shivar near Nandur Ghat Street. A police search team rushed him to a hospital, where he was declared dead. There were distinct wounds on his body, indicating late-stage agony. Investigations revealed that the attack was planned as an exact retribution after Deshmukh’s blackmailing attempt targeting an energy company failed.
The CID has arrested seven people in connection with the murder, including Valmik Karad, a close aide of former Maharashtra minister Dhananjay Munde. One person is still absconding. Investigations also revealed that one of the main accused, Sudarshan Ghule, runs a crime gang in Beed, Ambajogai, Kej and Dharashiv areas. His gang is involved in 11 serious criminal cases including robbery and blackmail. In May 2024, Ghule allegedly stole from an electricity company to free an extension officer who was reported to the Kej police.
The case has sparked a political controversy after pictures and videos of Deshmukh’s torture surfaced on social media. Though the pictures have not been officially released by the authorities, people are in a tizzy. After these pictures surfaced, an emergency meeting was held in Devgiri, which was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, NCP leaders Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Dhananjay Munde. Sources revealed that the focus of the discussion was on Munde’s possible consent given his close ties with the main accused.
The discussion comes during the budget session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, in which opposition parties, especially the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), are expected to pressurize the government for answers. Earlier requests for Munde’s consent were rejected, but untested evidence has reinstated the request for his removal. Social activist Anjali Damania has also made salacious allegations against Munde, further fuelling the political crisis.
