In a major breakthrough in the Beed Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder case, prime accused Valmik Karad surrendered at the CID headquarters in Pune on Tuesday, December 31. His surrender comes three weeks after the brutal killing of Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district, and after an extensive manhunt that stretched across states.
Karad’s Surrender Ends Weeks of Evasion
The CID, which has been spearheading the investigation, confirmed Karad’s surrender and immediately took him into custody. Speculations about his surrender began circulating early Tuesday morning, prompting a heavy police deployment outside the CID headquarters. Supporters of Maharashtra minister Dhananjay Munde were also seen gathering near the site, creating a tense atmosphere. Security measures were tightened to prevent any untoward incidents during the high-profile development.
Karad, accused of orchestrating the murder, had been on the run since the crime took place. His last known location was traced to Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, but he managed to evade capture until now. The CID has already arrested four other suspects in connection with the case and seized assets believed to be linked to the crime.
Political Fallout
The case has ignited a political firestorm, with BJP MLA Suresh Dhas alleging that Maharashtra minister Dhananjay Munde had a role in the murder. Dhas has demanded Munde’s resignation, a call that has been amplified by the opposition to intensify pressure on the state government.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently held discussions with Munde, reportedly addressing the ongoing investigation and the political repercussions of Karad’s surrender. While the details of these discussions remain undisclosed, the case has added a layer of complexity to the political dynamics in Maharashtra.
The Road Ahead
Karad’s surrender is expected to provide critical leads in the case and may clarify the alleged political connections that have dominated public discourse. The CID is likely to interrogate Karad extensively to uncover the motive behind the murder and the extent of involvement of other individuals, if any.