The Bombay High Court's Aurangabad bench has delivered a significant ruling, rejecting the bail application of Valmik Karad, the former chief of Parli municipal council. Karad is a prime accused in the shocking abduction and murder of Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district, on December 9, 2024.
Court's Firm Stand on Bail Plea
On Wednesday, a bench presided over by Justice Sushil M Ghodeswar dismissed the criminal appeal for bail after an extensive hearing that spanned multiple dates. The court noted that Karad's counsel was given the option to withdraw the application but chose to seek a verdict on its merits, leading to the outright rejection.
The prosecution, represented by Government Pleader Amarjeetsingh Girare and assisted by the complainant's lawyer Nitin Gaware, strongly opposed the bail. They argued that the investigation clearly revealed Karad's involvement with an organised crime syndicate. Crucially, they contended that the stringent "twin test" required for granting bail under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) was not satisfied in this case.
Defense Arguments and Prosecution's Allegations
Karad's defense team, including senior counsel Shirish Gupte and later lawyers Satyavrat Joshi and Shivani Kondekar, mounted a multi-pronged challenge. They cited alleged lapses in the investigation and vehemently questioned the applicability of MCOCA, arguing the stringent law was wrongly invoked. The defense maintained there was no direct evidence linking Karad to the actual commission of the crime and claimed he was falsely implicated.
However, the prosecution painted a grim picture of the crime's motive and Karad's alleged role. The case reportedly stems from an extortion demand of Rs 2 crore made to officials of Avaada Energy Company Pvt Ltd. Santosh Deshmukh had intervened and resisted this illegal demand, allegedly making him a target. The prosecution claimed Deshmukh was abducted, taken to Daithane village, and brutally assaulted with weapons, leading to his death.
In a damning allegation, the prosecution stated that Valmik Karad was a key conspirator and even watched the assault unfold through a video call, indicating his active participation. Following the incident, three separate FIRs were registered, and MCOCA provisions were invoked after obtaining due approval from competent authorities.
Legal Implications and Next Steps
The rejection of bail underscores the seriousness with which the court views the allegations and the evidence presented under the MCOCA framework. The Beed police's decision to invoke MCOCA indicates they are treating this as a case of organised crime rather than an isolated incident. Karad and other co-accused remain in judicial custody as the legal process continues.
This ruling is a setback for the defense and a moment of partial relief for the victim's family, represented by complainant Shivraj Deshmukh. It signals that the court is inclined to believe the prosecution's argument about the gravity of the offence and the organised nature of the crime, ruling out bail at this preliminary stage. The case will now proceed towards trial, where the charges and evidence will be examined in full detail.
