ShermanGraham8 at 10:28, 6 February 2026

2026-02-06T10:28:47Z

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{{Short description|2024 torture and killing in India}}
The '''Santosh Deshmukh murder case''' concerns the abduction, torture, and murder of [[Santosh Deshmukh]], the [[sarpanch]] of Massajog village in [[Beed district]], Maharashtra, India, on 9 December 2024. The case, linked to an extortion attempt on the [[Mumbai]]-based wind power company Avaada and involving politically connected individuals, caused controversy in Maharashtra. The Maharashtra [[Criminal Investigation Department (India)|Criminal Investigation Department]] (CID) filed a 1,400-page chargesheet against eight suspects, including Walmik Karad, a close aide of [[Nationalist Congress Party]] (NCP) leader [[Dhananjay Munde]]. Munde subsequently resigned as a cabinet minister due to public pressure.

==Background==
[[Santosh Deshmukh]], aged 45, was the sarpanch of Massajog village in [[Kaij|Kaij taluka]], [[Beed district]], and a member of the [[Maratha (caste)|Maratha]] community. He had opposed alleged extortion attempts targeting Avaada, a [[Mumbai]]-based green energy company with a windmill project in Massajog. While the village has seen economic growth from wind energy projects, the development has also led to crimes such as extortion and kidnapping.<ref name="IndianExpress1">{{cite web |title=Beed Sarpanch's gruesome murder forces Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde to resign; body had 56 injuries |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/beed-sarpanch-murder-dhananjay-munde-resign-9270717/ |website=The Indian Express |date=4 March 2025 |access-date=24 June 2025}}</ref><ref name="NDTV">{{cite web |title=Dhananjay Munde, Santosh Deshmukh, Walmik Karad: Behind Maharashtra Minister's Ouster, A Sarpanch's Torture And Murder |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/dhananjay-munde-santosh-deshmukh-walmik-karad-behind-maharashtra-ministers-ouster-a-sarpanchs-torture-and-murder-5234567 |website=NDTV |date=4 March 2025 |access-date=24 June 2025}}</ref>

On 6 December 2024, a clash broke out at Avaada's project site when suspects, including Sudarshan Ghule, allegedly attacked a security guard and the project manager. Deshmukh intervened, leading to a confrontation with the attackers that was filmed and shared online.<ref name="HindustanTimes1">{{cite web |title=What led to the storm over Beed sarpanch's murder? |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/what-led-to-the-storm-over-beed-sarpanch-s-murder-101704466258045.html |website=Hindustan Times |date=21 December 2024 |access-date=24 June 2025}}</ref> This incident reportedly heightened tensions, which culminated in Deshmukh’s murder three days later.

=== Motive ===
The alleged motive for the attack was revenge for the violent ambush of two gang members by 12–15 villagers led by Deshmukh.<ref>{{Cite web|title='भावा' म्हणून हाक, प्रतिक घुले रिक्षावर, सुधीर सांगळे कारखान्यावर, तर सुदर्शन घुले चालवायचा हॉट|url=https://marathi.abplive.com/crime/santosh-deshmukh-case-prateek-ghule-and-sudhir-sangle-considered-sudarshan-ghule-as-their-brother-1348092|website=ABP Majha|date=8 March 2025|access-date=27 November 2025|language=mr|first=गोविंद शेळके, एबीपी माझा|last=बीड}}</ref> The attackers claimed that Deshmukh had brought them disrepute by ambushing one of their gang member 'Pratik Ghule' on his birthday and beating him with sticks. Then Santosh Deshmukh, who claimed to be the victim, further circulated videos of the incident, which went viral damaging the gang's image, also as a reason for the killing.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Beaten With Rods, Urinated On: Torture Killing That Forced Minister's Exit|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/dhananjay-munde-santosh-deshmukh-walmik-karad-behind-maharashtra-ministers-ouster-a-sarpanchs-torture-and-murder-7844287|work=www.ndtv.com|access-date=27 November 2025|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250521014833/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/dhananjay-munde-santosh-deshmukh-walmik-karad-behind-maharashtra-ministers-ouster-a-sarpanchs-torture-and-murder-7844287|archive-date=21 May 2025|language=en}}</ref>

==Murder==
On 9 December 2024, Santosh Deshmukh was abducted in broad daylight near the Dongaon toll plaza by six men in a black Scorpio SUV. He was reportedly tortured for nearly three hours before being killed; his body was later found by the roadside near Daithana Shivar. According to the autopsy report, Deshmukh sustained 56 injuries caused by both blunt and sharp objects, including a 41-inch gas cylinder pipe, iron rods, wooden sticks, and knuckle dusters. The cause of death was determined to be [[haemorrhage]] and [[Shock (circulatory)|shock]] resulting from multiple injuries.<ref name="IndianExpress2">{{cite web |title=Behind Munde's resignation, a sarpanch's murder and a village that relentlessly pushed for justice |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/behind-mundes-resignation-sarpanch-murder-village-justice-9270829/ |website=The Indian Express |date=4 March 2025 |access-date=24 June 2025}}</ref>

The CID recovered 15 videos and eight photographs taken by the suspects during the torture, depicting Deshmukh being beaten, stripped, and humiliated. In one video, a suspect is allegedly seen urinating on Deshmukh while he is bleeding severely. The recordings, ranging from 5 seconds to 2 minutes in length, were captured between 3:46 pm and 5:53 pm on 9 December and are believed to have been intended as a warning to others who might resist extortion.<ref name="IndianExpress3">{{cite web |title=Santosh Deshmukh murder case: 15 videos, 8 photos, chargesheet details sarpanch's torture |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/santosh-deshmukh-murder-case-15-videos-8-photos-chargesheet-details-sarpanchs-torture-9271023/ |website=The Indian Express |date=5 March 2025 |access-date=24 June 2025}}</ref>

==Investigation==
The Maharashtra government transferred the case to the CID, which established a [[Special Investigation Team (India)|Special Investigation Team]] (SIT) led by Deputy Inspector General Basavaraj Teli. Three First Information Reports (FIRs) were filed at Kaij police station: one for murder, one for a ₹2 crore extortion attempt against Avaada, and one under the [[Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act]] (MCOCA).<ref name="HindustanTimes2">{{cite web |title=Sarpanch murder linked to extortion, plotted by Munde aide: Charge sheet |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/sarpanch-murder-linked-to-extortion-plotted-by-munde-aide-charge-sheet-101739939841073.html |website=Hindustan Times |date=28 February 2025 |access-date=24 June 2025}}</ref> On 27 February 2025, the CID filed a 1,400-page chargesheet naming eight suspects: Walmik Karad, Sudarshan Ghule, Vishnu Chate, Jairam Chate, Mahesh Kedar, Siddhartha Sonawane, Sudhir Sangale, and Pratik Ghule.<ref name="HindustanTimes2" />

Walmik Karad, a local strongman and associate of NCP leader [[Dhananjay Munde]], was named as the mastermind. Karad, who had 15 prior criminal cases, allegedly ordered the murder after Deshmukh resisted extortion. Sudarshan Ghule, with 10 prior cases, was a key figure in the attack.<ref name="IndianExpress1" /> Karad surrendered on 31 December 2024, but another suspect, Krushna Andhale, remained on the run as of February 2025.<ref name="Hindu1">{{cite web |title=Santosh Deshmukh murder case: Villagers stage hunger strike, demand probe against investigating officers |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/maharashtra/santosh-deshmukh-murder-case-villagers-stage-hunger-strike-demand-probe-against-investigating-officers/article67887336.ece |website=The Hindu |date=26 February 2025 |access-date=24 June 2025}}</ref>

The investigation revealed that the suspects had a history of violent crimes, including attempted murder and extortion. The chargesheet linked the murder to the extortion plot, supported by call records and recovered weapons.<ref name="HindustanTimes2" /> Chief Minister [[Devendra Fadnavis]] also ordered a judicial probe into the case.<ref name="HindustanTimes1" />

==Political controversy==
The case caused a political uproar in Maharashtra, with the opposition [[Maha Vikas Aghadi]] (MVA) accusing the [[Maha Yuti]] government of failing to maintain law and order. Walmik Karad’s ties to Dhananjay Munde, a minister in the Fadnavis cabinet, led to calls for Munde's resignation. The opposition claimed Munde's influence shielded Karad, an allegation Munde denied.<ref name="NDTV" /> Videos and photos of Deshmukh's torture, which circulated online in March 2025, fueled public anger, leading Munde to resign as Minister of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection on 4 March 2025.<ref name="IndianExpress2" />

The case also stirred caste tensions in Beed, as Deshmukh was a Maratha and Karad, along with several suspects, was from the Vanjari community, an Other Backward Class (OBC) group. This exacerbated Maratha–OBC conflicts, which were already heightened by ongoing Maratha reservation protests in the region.<ref name="HindustanTimes1" /> Social activist [[Anjali Damania]] called for the trial to be moved to Mumbai and the suspects to be held in [[Arthur Road Jail]], citing alleged police collusion in [[Beed]].<ref name="HindustanTimes3">{{cite web |title=Conduct Santosh Deshmukh murder trial in Mumbai: Anjali Damania |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/conduct-santosh-deshmukh-murder-trial-in-mumbai-anjali-damania-101706003089873.html |website=Hindustan Times |date=22 January 2025 |access-date=24 June 2025}}</ref>

==Public response==
The murder sparked protests in Beed, with villagers and Deshmukh's family demanding justice. On 25 February 2025, Massajog residents held a hunger strike to express dissatisfaction with the investigation. They demanded the arrest of Krushna Andhale, a probe into police officers Prashant Mahajan and Rajesh Patil, and the appointment of senior advocate [[Ujjwal Nikam]] as special public prosecutor. The government appointed Nikam to the role on 26 February 2025.<ref name="Hindu1" /> Deshmukh's brother, Dhananjay Deshmukh, opposed bail for the suspects, fearing evidence tampering.<ref name="Hindu2">{{cite web |title=Bail should not be granted to accused in Santosh Deshmukh murder case, says brother |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/maharashtra/bail-should-not-be-granted-to-accused-in-santosh-deshmukh-murder-case-says-brother/article67767204.ece |website=The Hindu |date=22 January 2025 |access-date=24 June 2025}}</ref>

Political leaders across parties condemned the murder. [[Shiv Sena (UBT)]] leader [[Aaditya Thackeray]] criticized the government’s delay in acting against Munde, while [[Nationalist Congress Party – Sharadchandra Pawar|NCP (SP)]] leader [[Supriya Sule]] called for a thorough probe.<ref name="Hindu1" /> Maratha quota activist [[Manoj Jarange|Manoj Jarange-Patil]] and Congress leaders also supported the call for justice.<ref name="HindustanTimes1" />

==Legal proceedings==
The trial is underway in a special MCOCA court in Beed, with Ujjwal Nikam serving as the special public prosecutor. The chargesheet includes evidence such as weapons, mobile phone videos, and witness statements. The suspects face charges under the [[Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita]] for murder, kidnapping, and extortion, as well as MCOCA provisions for organized crime.<ref name="HindustanTimes2" /> As of June 2025, the trial continues, with seven of the eight suspects in custody.

== References ==
{{reflist}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Deshmukh, Santosh}}
[[Category:Organised crime in India]]
[[Category:Indian murder victims]]
[[Category:People murdered in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:2024 murders in India]]
[[Category:2024 scandals]]
[[Category:Scandals in India]]
[[Category:Deaths by person in India]]
[[Category:Deaths by beating]]
[[Category:Kidnappings in India]]
[[Category:Kidnapping in the 2020s]]
[[Category:December 2024 in India]]
[[Category:December 2024 crimes in Asia]]

Murder of Santosh Deshmukh - Revision history

ShermanGraham8 at 10:28, 6 February 2026