Deputy CM's Surprise Visit to Grieving Village
In an unexpected move, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar diverted from his scheduled campaign trail on Saturday to visit Massajog village in Beed district. The visit comes almost exactly one year after the brutal kidnapping and murder of village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, a case that has seen little progress despite multiple arrests.
The December 9, 2022 murder of the popular local leader has left the rural community in anguish, with residents expressing fading faith in the justice system. Pawar's unscheduled stop aimed to address these growing concerns directly.
Family's Heartbreaking Plea for Justice
During his emotional meeting with the Deshmukh family, Pawar interacted extensively with Vaibhavi, the slain sarpanch's daughter. The young student shared her profound disappointment with the investigation's slow pace, revealing how the unresolved case haunts her even while pursuing education away from the village.
"It has been a year since my father was killed, but we still have not received justice," Vaibhavi told the deputy chief minister. She emphasized that her family hasn't received the response they expected from any authority, leaving them in a state of perpetual grief and uncertainty.
Political Controversy Reignites Public Anger
The case recently returned to public spotlight following controversial remarks by NCP MLA Dhananjay Munde. At a public gathering earlier this week, Munde referred obliquely to key accused Valmik Karad - former municipal council president of Parli and considered Munde's close aide - noting that he was "missing a colleague."
The comment drew immediate criticism from across political spectrums, including from Munde's own party members, and reignited debate about political connections influencing the case. Karad is among seven people arrested so far, though charges haven't been formally framed in court.
Village Unity Demands Swift Action
A large gathering of villagers confronted Pawar during his visit, expressing collective anguish over the delayed prosecution. Residents insisted that Santosh Deshmukh had no known disputes or conflicts before his tragic killing, making the murder even more shocking for the close-knit community.
"We want immediate punishment for the accused," one resident asserted, adding that administrative changes including the replacement of the superintendent of police had yielded no visible results in advancing the case.
Another villager highlighted the unprecedented unity the tragedy has fostered, stating, "For one man, the entire village has united like never before," while demanding urgent government intervention to arrest the absconding suspect, Krishna Aandhale.
Government's Assurance and Family's Resolve
After offering floral tributes at Deshmukh's memorial, Pawar assured villagers that the government remains committed to pursuing the case and delivering justice. He promised that no guilty person would be spared, responding to the community's demands for swift action.
The Deshmukh family vowed to continue their fight until all accused are convicted and the absconding suspect is apprehended. The case continues to test the community's faith in the judicial system while highlighting the challenges in delivering timely justice in politically sensitive matters.
