High-Profile Lawyers Appointed in Santosh Deshmukh Murder Case

Senior advocate Ujjwal Nikam is appointed as the special public prosecutor for the Santosh Deshmukh murder case in Maharashtra, with Bala Saheb Kolhe as assistant prosecutor. A Special Investigation Team is probing the case, while political leaders vow justice for the brutal murder linked to extortion schemes.

In a decisive legal move, the Maharashtra government has appointed renowned senior advocate Ujjwal Nikam as the special public prosecutor in the high-profile murder case of Santosh Deshmukh, in Beed district. Complementing him, advocate Bala Saheb Kolhe will serve as the assistant public prosecutor.

The investigation, initiated on January 14 with the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), has garnered significant attention at the highest levels of state governance, with the Chief Minister closely monitoring the developments. Notably, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has assured the public of rigorous action against those responsible for Deshmukh's murder, who was the sarpanch of Masajog village.

Pledging justice, Pawar stated, 'The Chief Minister remains vigilant. Whoever is guilty will face consequences. This heinous act has no place in the state of Shahu, Phule, and Ambedkar. Law and order must be upheld.' Deshmukh's murder, which followed his opposition to a Rs 2 crore extortion bid against a wind energy company, shocked the community, prompting three FIRs: one for murder, another for assault on the firm's security guard, and one concerning the extortion attempt. Political leaders, including NCP SP's Sharad Pawar, have expressed grave concern over the safety of public officials protesting this atrocity.

(With inputs from agencies.)