Tue Mar 04 08:12:07 UTC 2025: ## Maharashtra Minister Resigns Amidst Charges of Extortion and Brutal Murder

**Mumbai, March 25, 2025** – Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde has resigned following the fallout from the brutal murder of a village sarpanch, Santosh Deshmukh, which exposed a chilling nexus between crime and politics in the state’s rural development sector.

Deshmukh, 45, was tortured and murdered on December 9th, 2024, after attempting to thwart a ₹2 crore extortion attempt targeting Avaada, a Mumbai-based green energy company operating in Beed district. The extortion was allegedly orchestrated by Walmik Karad, a close aide of Minister Munde, and carried out by a criminal syndicate led by Sudarshan Ghule. Police investigations uncovered 15 videos and 8 photos documenting the horrific torture inflicted upon Deshmukh before his death. The graphic evidence, including a video showing the accused urinating on the bleeding victim, sparked widespread outrage.

The investigation revealed that Karad, along with Ghule and Vishnu Chate, had demanded the extortion payment, threatening to shut down Avaada’s operations if they refused. Deshmukh, fearing the impact on his village’s economy, intervened, leading to his abduction and murder. The chargesheet filed by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) details the brutal attack and implicates Karad as the mastermind.

Following the release of the chargesheet and the graphic evidence, the opposition demanded Munde’s resignation. After discussions with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accepted Munde’s resignation. While Munde stated his support for the harshest punishment for the accused and cited health concerns, his resignation marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation.

The case also highlights the complex caste dynamics in the Marathwada region, with all the accused belonging to the Vanjari community and Deshmukh being a Maratha. The incident occurred against a backdrop of ongoing tensions between the two communities. Several Maratha leaders had previously called for Munde’s resignation. The investigation continues, with a judicial inquiry also proposed.

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