Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Dhananjay Munde Resigns Amid Beed Sarpanch Murder Controversy

Mumbai, 5th March 2025: NCP Minister Dhananjay Munde stepped down on Tuesday following the emergence of leaked photos allegedly depicting the torture inflicted on Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh before his murder. The revelations intensified political pressure, leading to a late-night meeting on Monday between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP president Ajit Pawar, and senior leaders, where the decision was finalized.

Monday also marked the opening of the first Budget Session of the newly elected Mahayuti government. With Munde’s close ties to one of the individuals recently chargesheeted in the case, the issue was expected to be raised in the assembly, alongside the conviction of another NCP minister, Manikrao Kokate, in a separate case.

Munde’s resignation is expected to alleviate some of the pressure on the Fadnavis administration, which had been facing demands—even from within its ranks—for his removal to facilitate an impartial investigation into the December 9 murder.

The CID, which submitted its chargesheet on February 27, named Munde’s associate, Walmik Karad, among others, as an accused. Karad allegedly attempted to extort money from a power company, leading to a confrontation with Deshmukh that ultimately resulted in his killing. Beed, where the incident took place, has long been considered a stronghold of the Munde family.

On Monday, multiple Marathi news channels broadcasted images that purportedly showed the brutal treatment Deshmukh suffered before his death.

Following his resignation, Munde took to X to express his distress over the images and cited health issues as one of the reasons for his decision. “From the very beginning, I have demanded the strictest punishment for those responsible for the brutal murder of Santosh Deshmukh. The images that surfaced yesterday deeply disturbed me,” he stated.

He further added, “The investigation has been completed, and a chargesheet has been submitted to the court. A judicial inquiry has also been recommended. In light of my moral obligations and my health concerns—since doctors have advised me to seek treatment in the coming days—I have decided to resign from the Cabinet.”

Confirming the resignation, Ajit Pawar also cited “morality” as the driving factor behind the decision. Fadnavis formally announced the resignation upon entering the Assembly on Tuesday, avoiding media queries.

The Mahayuti government, which secured a significant mandate less than three months ago, now faces a political setback with a Cabinet minister forced to step down. Questions remain over Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate’s position, as he has been convicted by a lower court in a forgery case related to acquiring housing meant for economically weaker sections. His appeal is pending before a higher court.

The controversy surrounding Deshmukh’s murder has reignited Maratha-OBC tensions in Maharashtra politics, as Deshmukh was from the Maratha community, while the accused, including Munde, belong to the OBC Vanjari community.

Monday night’s Fadnavis-Ajit Pawar meeting, held at Pawar’s official residence, lasted for an hour and a half. Sources indicate that Munde and other senior NCP leaders were present, with Fadnavis urging the party to take swift action on the matter.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Maharashtra Police, which is leading the probe, has stated that Deshmukh was kidnapped and killed for opposing an extortion attempt on a windmill company operating in Beed.

Those arrested in connection with the case include Karad, Sudarshan Ghule, Vishnu Chate, Jayram Chate, Mahesh Kedar, Sudhir Sangle, Prateek Ghule, and Siddharth Sonawane—all of whom are currently in judicial custody. One suspect, Krishna Andhale, remains on the run.

Opposition leaders have argued that Munde’s resignation is not enough. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray criticized the government for its delayed action, stating, “The state administration was aware of this for months but only acted now. Law and order have deteriorated. The images that surfaced shocked Maharashtra. Such brutality has never been seen before.”

Thackeray also questioned Fadnavis’s hesitation in seeking Munde’s resignation, asking, “What took him so long to act?”

NCP (SP) leader and Beed MLA Sandeep Kshirsagar echoed similar sentiments, calling Munde’s resignation “long overdue” and demanding that he be named as a co-accused. “The people of Beed are furious. The accused should face the harshest punishment,” he asserted.

Within the Mahayuti alliance, NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal acknowledged Munde’s resignation but emphasized the need to determine his exact role in the crime. Meanwhile, BJP MLA Suresh Dhas, a vocal critic of Munde despite being part of the ruling coalition, thanked Fadnavis for ensuring his removal. “I was accused of speaking out too much, but this proves I was right all along,” Dhas said.