Anjali Damania Pushes for Justice in Sarpanch Murder Case

Activist Anjali Damania is calling for the reopening of criminal cases against Walmik Karad, linked to the sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder. Only a few cases remain open. Damania urges the judicial committee to reconsider previously closed cases. The sarpanch was killed for opposing extortion from a windmill company.

Activist Anjali Damania has taken a bold step, announcing her intention to demand the reopening of all criminal cases against Walmik Karad, the key suspect in the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.

Damania, addressing the media, revealed that Karad faces a series of criminal charges. 'Out of the 16 cases against him, only two or three are still active. I will push for the judicial committee to revisit the closed cases,' she asserted. Damania is also encouraging Dhananjay Deshmukh, the deceased's brother, to pursue similar actions.

The murder of Santosh Deshmukh, who was allegedly kidnapped and tortured for opposing extortion demands related to a windmill company, shook the village of Massajog in Beed district. Political fallout included the resignation of NCP leader Dhananjay Munde from his ministerial post, after a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chargesheet implicated his associate, Walmik Karad.

Amid ongoing investigations, eight suspects are in custody, while another, Krishna Andhale, remains at large. Damania also highlighted a case from 2007 involving an SUV torching in Beed, wherein both Munde and Karad were implicated, but later resulted in Munde's acquittal, prompting Damania to call for further scrutiny once more.

(With inputs from agencies.)