As Beed village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh was being tortured and killed in December final 12 months, his alleged assailants recorded 15 movies, clicked eight pictures, and even made two video calls.
Dhananjay Munde had been underneath strain from the Opposition and the slain sarpanch’s household to step down after the homicide of Beed village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh(HT File)
These visuals, now a part of the cost sheet submitted by the Crime Investigation Division (CID) to a Beed court docket final week, proved to be the ultimate blow for Nationalist Congress Social gathering (NCP) chief Dhananjay Munde, who lastly resigned because the state’s meals and civil provides minister on Tuesday.
Hindustan Instances has reviewed pages of the cost sheet containing the video proof. The surprising pictures and pictures triggered widespread outrage throughout Maharashtra, with Beed district observing a bandh on Tuesday.
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“Munde has resigned on moral grounds,” mentioned deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. The minister had been underneath strain from the Opposition and the slain sarpanch’s household to step down. Nonetheless, he remained agency on staying put till the movies and pictures surfaced on-line.
In his X put up after resignation, Munde additionally referred concerning the pictures saying, “Looking at the photos that came to light yesterday, I was deeply distressed. The investigation into this case has been completed and the charge sheet has been filed in the court. Also, a judicial inquiry is proposed. Remembering my conscience and wisdom and as my health has not been good for the past few days, the doctor has advised me to take treatment for the next few days, therefore, also for medical reasons, I have submitted my resignation from the cabinet to the chief minister.”
Sandeep Kshirsagar, NCP (SP) MLA from Beed, mentioned, “When people in Beed saw the photos on social media, tensions flared. Citizens began gathering in protest. It is good that Munde has resigned now, even if it has come late.”
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Deshmukh was kidnapped and killed in December for making an attempt to thwart an extortion try on an vitality firm. His physique, bearing indicators of maximum brutality, was discovered dumped by the roadside.
Seven males, together with Walmik Karad—a detailed aide of Munde—have been arrested, whereas one individual stays at giant. Karad was thought of Munde’s right-hand man in Parli and managed his election marketing campaign. Munde’s cousin and BJP chief Pankaja Munde had mentioned Dhananjay Munde can not perform with out Karad.
Movies expose brutality
The movies, shot on a smartphone belonging to accused Mahesh Kedar, vary from 2 seconds to 2.04 minutes in length, as per the chargesheet.
In one of many movies that went viral on social media, 5 accused are purportedly seen thrashing Deshmukh with a pipe and a stick apart from kicking and punching him. The video reveals Deshmukh half-clad as he’s being compelled to sit down.
In one other video, Deshmukh is purportedly seen compelled to chant “Sudarshan Ghule [one of the accused] is the father of all”. An accused urinated on Deshmukh as he bled profusely, mentioned the cost sheet.
As Deshmukh was tortured, accused Krishna Andhale, who stays on the run, made two WhatsApp video calls — one at 5.14pm and one other at 5.26 pm. The cost sheet doesn’t determine the individual to whom the calls have been made.
Police have recovered 15 damaged items of the pipe used to torture Deshmukh, the cost sheet mentioned. Investigators discovered the accused Ghule ran a criminal offense syndicate in Beed. His gang faces 11 circumstances. The gang has been lively in Kej, Ambajogai, Dharur in Beed, and Kalamb within the Dharashiv district.
NCP (SP) chief Jitendra Awhad accused the chief minister of performing late in opposition to Munde regardless of understanding concerning the pictures and movies.
“The government already had all these photos and videos. Despite all this evidence, the resignation was not taken. After these photos and videos went public last night, Munde’s resignation was taken this morning, which has made it clear how ruthless this government is,” Awhad mentioned.
The NCP (SP) chief accused the federal government of being insensitive saying it doesn’t worth public sentiment, tolerates the crime of the brutal homicide of Deshmukh.