A court in Maharashtra’s Beed district on Friday remanded Sudarshan Ghule who is an accused in the murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, to 14-day judicial custody.
Ghule, who had been in CID custody, was presented before the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court through video conference. The court had earlier placed him in CID custody until January 31 for further investigation.
The case revolves around the abduction, torture, and murder of Santosh Deshmukh on December 9, allegedly for attempting to stop an extortion attempt targeting an energy firm in Beed.
Authorities have registered cases of murder and extortion in connection with the crime, which has drawn significant attention in Maharashtra.
According to police reports, Deshmukh’s murder was premeditated, with his abductors allegedly targeting him for interfering in illegal activities. Investigators believe that his resistance to extortion attempts led to his brutal killing.
His death has sparked concerns over the growing influence of criminal elements in local governance.
The investigation so far has resulted in the arrest of seven individuals linked to the murder.
Additionally, Walmik Karad, a close associate of Maharashtra minister Dhananjay Munde, was arrested in the extortion case. Karad’s alleged involvement has fueled political debates and raised questions about the nexus between criminals and political figures.
On January 27, the court had placed Ghule in CID custody for five days to allow investigators to examine digital evidence, including seized mobile phones and other electronic data.
The authorities aimed to uncover further links between the accused and the extortion network operating in Beed. The investigation is expected to reveal the larger conspiracy behind Deshmukh’s murder and expose those responsible for orchestrating the crime.
Law enforcement agencies continue to probe the case, analyzing financial transactions, call records, and possible connections between the accused and influential figures. The murder has led to calls for stronger action against organized crime in Maharashtra, particularly in rural areas where local leaders often face threats and violence for resisting criminal activities.
The case will now proceed in court, with the judicial custody of Ghule marking the next stage in the legal process. Authorities are under pressure to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation, given the gravity of the allegations and the political ramifications of the case.
The next hearing will likely determine further legal actions and the course of the investigation in the coming weeks.
