Maharashtra CM announces judicial probes into Beed sarpanch murder, Parbhani violence

Fadnavis was replying in the legislative Assembly to the discussion on the two cases. The Opposition, however, boycotted the proceedings after his reply. Addressing a press conference outside the Assembly, the NCP (SP) accused Fadnavis of shielding senior Cabinet minister Dhananjay Munde, alleging that his close aide Walmik Karad was the “mastermind” of Deshmukh’s murder.

Fadnavis said the incident was not limited to one murder. “It has deep roots. We will have to end the lawlessness in Beed. Avaada Green has invested big time in Beed and some people are demanding various works or extortion money. Accused went to the company at Massajog village and first beat the watchman and then the manager. They victims went to Deshmukh. As the accused were from a neighbouring village, people along with Deshmukh beat up the attackers. The video then went viral,” he said.

“On December 9, Deshmukh and his cousin were travelling. After a toll booth, a black Scorpio intercepted their car. First they broke the driver side glass and then the other side. He was beaten up inside the car first and then outside. Deshmukh’s cousin was in contact with Vishnu Mahadev Chate (one of the accued) and Chate told him that Deshmukh will be released. But they did not,” Fadnavis said.

“If Karad is a mastermind in this case, he will face action,” said Fadnavis.

The ruling and opposition members have accused Karad of running a parallel rule of terror in Beed.

“The manner in which anarchy is being created in Beed district needs to end. Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act will be slapped against them all. Any person even remotely linked to the killing of Deshmukh will face similar action. A special campaign will be launched to eliminate all goons, cartels,” Fadnavis announced.

On the Parbhani incident, Fadnavis said that Dattarao Pawar, who is mentally unstable and under treatment from 2012, was involved in the desecration of the Constitution’s replica. “A committee of four doctors gave a report that Pawar was suffering from mental and psychotic disorder and he needs to treatment from a psychiatrist,” he said.

The chief minister said before the incident, the Sakal Hindu Samaj morcha was held in the morning over the attack on minorities in Bangladesh. “Parbhani incident is not about Hindus vs Dalits as some want to portray,” he said. Fadnavis added that after the desacration, majority of protesters were peacefully agitating while about 200 protesters used violent methods. “No combing operation was held as I held calls with the local police force. Police inspector Ashok Ghorband has been suspended for using extra force,” he announced.

On the custodial death of Somnath Suryawanshi, a Dalit law student, Fadnavis said he was suffering from breathlessness and other diseases. “When he was presented before the magistrate, he said that he did not face any police torture,” he said.

“Some people feel that the state should not have peace and communities fight against each other. The insult of the Constitution has nothing to do with caste and communities. We politicians should work to ease the tension,” he said. He announced aid of Rs 5 lakh to the family of deceased Vijay Wakode, a Dalit community activist, who was engaged to maintaining peace after the violence in Parbhani.

Opposition, however, boycotted the House as the Speaker did not allow them to ask questions on the CM’s reply. “His reply did nothing but to shield Karad who is a close aide of Minister Dhananjay Munde. Why is it that Munde is being protected? Why is it that the CM did not mention about Karad’s political boss,” asked NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad.

Congress MLA Nitin Raut pointed out that Fadnavis did not explain the reason of Suryawanshi’s death. “His post-mortem shows he had multiple injuries. How did those injuries happen,” he asked.