Tue Mar 04 05:05:07 UTC 2025: ## Maharashtra Minister Munde Ordered to Resign Amid Murder Scandal

**Mumbai, March 4, 2025** – Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered the resignation of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Minister Dhananjay Munde. The demand for Mr. Munde’s resignation intensified following the naming of his close aide, Walmik Karad, as an accused in the brutal murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.

While Mr. Munde himself is not implicated in the case, his proximity to Mr. Karad, alleged to be the mastermind behind the murder, has fueled the opposition’s calls for his removal. The gruesome details of the murder, revealed in a recently released 1200-page chargesheet, further intensified pressure on the Chief Minister.

The murder of Mr. Deshmukh, sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district, occurred on December 9th, 2024. He was allegedly abducted, tortured, and murdered for attempting to thwart an extortion attempt against an energy company. 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 and assault cases.

Mr. Munde, the State Food and Civil Supplies Minister and NCP MLA from Parli, previously served as the Guardian Minister of Beed. The opposition also demanded the resignation of Manikrao Kokate. Chief Minister Fadnavis, who previously stated that strict action would be taken against those found guilty, acted on Tuesday, March 4th, ordering Mr. Munde’s immediate resignation.

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