Maharashtra Court Sends Walmik Karad To 15-Day Custody

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A Maharashtra court has ordered 15 days of custody for Walmik Karad, an accused in an extortion case related to the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh from Beed district.

Karad surrendered to the police in Pune, after which he was brought to a government hospital in Kej for medical evaluation. He was later taken to a police station, as confirmed by an official.

The case has sparked controversy, with opposition parties like the NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) claiming that Karad’s surrender was a carefully orchestrated move and accusing the state police of incompetence. NCP leaders have called the entire situation a “mockery” of law enforcement.

During a press briefing, Assistant Government Pleader JB Shinde informed the media that the court’s decision to send Karad to 15 days of custody was made to facilitate the investigation, particularly for the collection of Karad’s voice sample. The police are seeking further evidence to substantiate their claims in the ongoing probe.

Karad’s lawyer has expressed concerns about the validity of the charges against his client. He pointed out that the sections invoked in the FIR are, in their opinion, inapplicable. “If we look at the background of the case, the court has not yet heard our side. However, we hope that on the 14th day, when the custody ends, the court may take our arguments into account,” the lawyer stated.

The defense further criticized the decision, noting that in similar extortion cases, the accused typically receive bail. “I have witnessed many extortion cases, but I have never seen a situation where a court grants such a long custody period. If anyone other than Walmik Karad were involved, they would likely have been granted bail,” the lawyer added.

The case remains under investigation as police work to gather more details and verify the role of the accused in the murder and extortion plot. Karad’s custody will continue for 15 days, allowing authorities to move forward with their efforts to solve the crime.