Maharashtra minister Dhananjay Munde resigns over aide’s involvement in Beed Sarpanch murder case

Munde steps down amid allegations against close aide

Maharashtra Minister and NCP leader Dhananjay Munde resigned from his position after his close aide, Walmik Karad, was named as an accused in the Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder case. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed Munde’s resignation on Tuesday, stating that it has been accepted and forwarded to the Governor for further action.

Fadnavis confirms resignation

Speaking to the media, CM Fadnavis said, “Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde has tendered his resignation today. I have accepted it and sent it to the Governor for the next course of action.”

#WATCH | Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis says, “Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde has tendered his resignation today. I have accepted the resignation and sent it to the Governor for further course of action.” https://t.co/S8YYzZxr7D pic.twitter.com/DpxcIUWsrZ

— ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2025

Munde, the state food and civil supplies minister, represents the Parliamentary constituency in Beed district as an NCP MLA. Previously, he was the district’s guardian minister, a position now held by NCP chief Ajit Pawar, who also oversees Pune.

Ajit Pawar discussed case before resignation

Sources revealed that Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar met Fadnavis on Monday night to discuss the implications of the CID’s chargesheet in the Deshmukh murder case. The chargesheet also includes two related cases, with Karad identified as the prime accused. Following the discussion, Fadnavis reportedly directed Munde to step down.

Opposition pressure leads to resignation

Munde’s resignation came amid intense pressure from the opposition, which demanded his removal due to his aide’s arrest in an extortion case linked to the murder. Sources indicated that opposition leaders had threatened to disrupt legislative proceedings if Munde did not resign.

Beed Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder case

Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed, was abducted, tortured, and murdered on December 9 last year. His killing was allegedly linked to his attempts to prevent an extortion attempt against an energy company in the district.

On February 27, the state Crime Investigation Department (CID) submitted a 1,200-page chargesheet in a Beed district court detailing Deshmukh’s murder and two associated cases.

Legal action and arrests

Authorities have registered three separate cases at Kej police station in Beed, covering:

• Deshmukh’s murder
• Extortion attempt on the Avaada company
• Assault on the company’s security guard

All accused in the cases have been charged under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

So far, seven individuals have been arrested, while one accused remains absconding. The investigation is ongoing, with further developments expected in the case.

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