Two more men arrested in Beed sarpanch murder case

NEW DELHI: Maharashtra Police on Saturday arrested two more men accused in the murder of Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, who was tortured to death.

The accused were identified as Sudarshan Ghule and Sudhir Sangle, news agency PTI reported citing the police.

Police arrested the accused three days after the state government formed a 10-member SIT, led by CID deputy inspector general Basavraj Teli, to probe the Deshmukh's murder.

Before the SIT was constituted, one Valmik Karad was booked in an extortion bid case related to the murder and surrendered before CID. Later, he was sent to 14 days police custody.

Opposition alleged that Karad is the prime accused in the case, while he maintained that he was the victim of "political vendetta".

Karad is a close aide of food and civil supplies minister Dhananjay Munde from NCP. His alleged involvement in the crime created a political storm across the state. Consequently, the opposition demanded removal of Munde from the state cabinet.

CM Devendra Fadnavis's aide and BJP MLA Abhimanyu Pawar too has joined protests.

Valmiki Karad is from the Vanjari community, which has an exclusive 2.5% reservation in the OBC quota.

Its members have resisted inclusion of Marathas in OBC quota.

Who was Santosh Deshmukh?

A popular figure in Massajog village, described as friendly and accessible. Had MA degree. Entered active politics in 2013. In 2017, his wife Ashwini won sarpanch polls. In 2022, Deshmukh followed, winning election with big majority.

Under the couple’s leadership, Massajog won 19 awards in 7 years, including recognition for having best water supply and sanitation systems in Marathwada.