Pune: Chief Minister Fadnavis Dodges Queries on VVIP Treatment of Extortion Case Accused Valmik Karad

Pimpri, 4th January 2025: New revelations continue to emerge in the case of Valmik Karad, who was recently arrested for allegedly demanding extortion from a windmill entrepreneur in Beed. The case has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra’s political circles, stirring widespread debate and controversy.

Karad, who had been absconding for 22 days following the registration of an extortion case at the Kaij Police Station in Beed, surfaced on Tuesday at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in Pune. He was subsequently arrested and is currently in jail. The case has also been linked to the murder of Massajog Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, further intensifying its political and social implications.

The investigation into the matter was transferred to the CID by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who has been monitoring the developments closely. Senior police officials have been deployed to Beed to expedite the investigation. Allegations and counter-allegations regarding the treatment of Karad in custody have added another layer of complexity to the case.

When asked about reports of preferential treatment being extended to Karad in jail, Chief Minister Fadnavis refrained from commenting directly. “We should focus on asking relevant questions in the appropriate forums,” he remarked during his visit to Alandi on Friday.

During the same visit, Fadnavis addressed the ongoing efforts to clean the Indrayani River, which flows through Alandi and Dehu. He emphasized that cleaning the river is a long-term process and requires a systematic approach.

“Water from villages, cities, and industries flows into the Indrayani River. This water must be treated before being discharged into the river. Measures have been initiated, including setting up sewage treatment plants,” Fadnavis said. He assured that funding is being allocated to local governing bodies, including gram panchayats, municipalities, and corporations, to support these efforts.

Additionally, the Industries Department has been instructed to prevent untreated chemical waste from being discharged into the river basin. Fadnavis stressed that the cleanup project would be executed on a “war footing” to restore the river’s health.