Dhananjay Munde resigns as Maharashtra Minister after aide involved in Beed sarpanch murder

Maharashtra minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Dhananjay Munde resigned on Tuesday after his close aide, Walmiki Karad, was named in the charge sheet related to the murder of Beed district’s Massajog village sarpanch, Santosh Deshmukh. The sarpanch was abducted, tortured, and murdered on December 9, 2024. Munde submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, which has been forwarded to Governor CP Radhakrishnan for approval.

Munde stated that he stepped down for health reasons and reiterated his demand for strict punishment for those involved in Deshmukh’s murder. “Seeing 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 court. Also, a judicial inquiry is proposed... 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,” Munde wrote on X.

Sources revealed that Chief Minister Fadnavis asked Munde to resign after a meeting with Deputy CM and NCP chief Ajit Pawar on Monday night. Munde was initially reluctant and sought time to present his side in the Maharashtra Assembly, but his request was turned down. Pressure on the government increased after the charge sheet was filed, confirming Karad’s involvement and detailing the brutality of the murder.

The opposition strongly criticized the government, demanding stricter action. Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) MLA Aaditya Thackeray stated, “Mere resignation won’t suffice... The government should be dismissed. Law and order in Maharashtra has deteriorated—there are murders happening, rapes occurring, and no one is safe in this state.” The murder case gained further attention after disturbing images and videos surfaced online, sparking outrage.