Tue Mar 04 05:05:07 UTC 2025: ## Maharashtra Minister Resigns Amid Murder Scandal

**Mumbai, March 4, 2025** – Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde resigned from his post on Tuesday following pressure from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The resignation comes in the wake of the arrest of Munde’s close aide, Walmik Karad, who has been named as an accused in the brutal murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.

While Mr. Munde himself has not been implicated in the murder, the Opposition had been demanding his resignation due to his close ties to Karad, who is allegedly the mastermind behind the crime. The chargesheet in the case, filed by the State Crime Investigation Department (CID), details the horrific abduction, torture, and murder of Deshmukh on December 9, 2024. Deshmukh was allegedly targeted for attempting to stop an extortion attempt against an energy company.

Chief Minister Fadnavis accepted Mr. Munde’s resignation, stating that it had been sent to the Governor for further action. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar indicated that the resignation was submitted on moral grounds. Seven individuals have been arrested and charged under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in connection with the murder and related extortion attempts. One suspect remains at large. The case involves three separate registered offenses: the sarpanch’s murder, the attempted extortion of Avaada energy company, and the assault of a company security guard.

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