Maharashtra: Dhananjay Munde resigns after aide's arrest in murder case
What's the story
Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde resigned from his post after his close aide Walmik Karad was arrested. Karad is accused of murdering Santosh Deshmukh, a village head from Beed district.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asked Munde to resign after a Crime Investigation Department (CID) chargesheet connected Karad to the crime.
"Dhananjay Munde submitted his resignation today, which I have accepted and forwarded to the governor for further action," Fadnavis said.
Crime details
Chargesheet reveals disturbing details of sarpanch's murder
The abduction, torture, and murder of Deshmukh on December 9 was detailed in the CID chargesheet. It indicated that Deshmukh was targeted for opposing an extortion attempt against an energy company.
The detailed 1,200-page document also includes related incidents of attempted extortion and assault on a security guard.
The Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) has been invoked against eight accused in the case.
Political profile
Munde's political background and family connections
Munde, 49, is an Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from Beed's Parli constituency.
He is the nephew of the late Bharatiya Janata Party veteran Gopinath Munde and cousin of Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde.
He joined the NCP in 2013 and joined the Ajit Pawar-led faction after the party split in 2023.
Resignation call
Union minister calls for Munde's resignation on moral grounds
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said while Munde may not have directly killed Deshmukh, he should resign on moral grounds for being associated with Karad.
Athawale asserted that CID confirmed Karad's involvement in Deshmukh's murder.
The development has caused a political storm, with CM Fadnavis and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar discussing its implications on state politics.