MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, has demanded the resignation of state minister Dhananjay Munde, following allegations against his close associate Walmik Karad in the sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder case, according to sources on Tuesday.
Sources indicated that deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar held discussions with Fadnavis on Monday night regarding the implications of the CID’s chargesheet. The document, which covers the Deshmukh murder case and two related incidents, lists Karad as the primary accused.
“Fadnavis has asked Dhananjay Munde to resign as minister today,” a source said.
Munde, who serves as the state food and civil supplies minister and represents Parli constituency in Beed district as an NCP MLA, previously held the position of guardian minister of Beed.
At present, NCP leader Ajit Pawar oversees both Beed and Pune districts as their guardian minister.
The sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed, Deshmukh, fell victim to abduction, torture and murder on December 9 last year, allegedly due to his efforts to prevent extortion attempts targeting an energy company in the district.
On February 27, the state Crime Investigation Department (CID) submitted an extensive chargesheet, exceeding 1,200 pages, at a Beed district court regarding Deshmukh’s murder and two associated cases.
The Kej police station in Beed has registered three distinct cases – the sarpanch’s murder, attempted extortion from Avaada company, and assault on the company’s security guard. The authorities have implemented the strict Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the accused individuals.
The police have detained seven individuals who now face charges under MCOCA, whilst one suspect remains unapprehended.
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(With inputs from agency)