Pune: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale Demands Stringent Punishment for Walmik Karad in Beed Murder
Pune, 1st January 2025: The Sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed District was kidnapped and brutally murdered. Walmik Karad, a member of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar, has been linked to the crime. Karad surrendered to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Pune yesterday. The incident has prompted political reactions, with Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, President of the Republican Party of India – Athawale (RPI-A), calling for stringent punishment for Karad.
Walmik Karad is alleged to be behind the murder of Santosh Deshmukh, the Sarpanch of Massajog, and has since been arrested. Speaking to the media in Pune, Athawale condemned the brutal murder, stating, “Santosh Deshmukh from Beed was brutally murdered. I met with Deshmukh’s family and condemned the incident, calling it a crime that has tarnished humanity.” He further pointed out that Karad, the main suspect, had surrendered after 20 days and that four other accused have been arrested. The police have been urged to capture the remaining suspects promptly.
Athawale emphasized the call for Karad, the mastermind, to face severe legal consequences. He also referred to an alleged gang operating in Beed District involved in extortion and hooliganism, which he claimed has been harassing local businesses. Athawale stated that such individuals should be punished severely, noting that Karad had been engaged in criminal activities under the guise of activism. He stressed that peace could only be restored in Beed if Karad is punished to the fullest extent of the law, and politics should not interfere in this matter.
The demand for the resignation of Maharashtra Cabinet Minister and Parali MLA Dhananjay Munde, due to his reported friendship with Karad, has also surfaced. Athawale, however, dismissed any connection between Munde and the crime, emphasising that Munde has publicly stated that action should be taken against anyone involved, regardless of their association. Hence, he believes there is no need for Munde’s resignation.
