Opposition questions delay in MCOCA charges and judicial probe in Beed sarpanch murder case

“An announcement was made in the Legislative Assembly, and we are still waiting for its fulfillment. It was announced that MCOCA charges would be slapped. It was also said that a judicial probe would be ordered. We have no idea why nothing has been fulfilled,” said NCP(SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad.

Awhad said political will was important in this case. “From all the videos circulating on social media, it is clear that nobody is afraid of the police; rather, they are challenging the force,” he said, alleging that more than 150 polling booths were captured during the recent Assembly elections.

Awhad reiterated the demand of the NCP (SP) to remove Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dhananjay Munde until the investigation into the case is concluded. One of the accused, Walmik Karad, is a close aide to Munde, and the Opposition argues that an impartial inquiry is impossible while the NCP minister remains in office.

Awhad said that Munde’s removal from the cabinet needs to be approved by his party chief and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. “I have not seen Ajit Pawar addressing this case. Ultimately, he will have to make a decision,” he said.

Cooperation Minister and NCP leader Babasaheb Patil said the party would support the decisions made by Pawar and Sunil Tatkare regarding Munde.

Earlier on Monday, BJP MLA Dhas, who has consistently raised the murder of Santosh Deshmukh, who was the sarpanch of Massajog village, reiterated his demand for Fadnavis to assume the role of guardian minister for Beed.

“I demand that CM Fadnavis treat this as a special case and take charge as guardian minister of the district,” he said.