Mumbai: NCP (SP) Lok Sabha member Supriya Sule has slammed the Maharashtra administration for its failure to arrest one of the key absconding suspects in the murder of Beed district’s Massajog village sarpanch, Santosh Deshmukh, despite two months having passed since the incident. Sule made the remarks while visiting Massajog village on Tuesday to meet with Deshmukh’s grieving family.
Speaking to reporters, Sule expressed her concern over the delayed investigation, stating, “The police have arrested seven individuals in connection with the murder, but Krushna Andhale, one of the accused, is still at large. This is unacceptable.”
Deshmukh was abducted, tortured, and murdered on December 9, 2024, allegedly in retaliation for trying to stop an extortion attempt targeting an energy firm in Beed district. Sule, who had previously met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the case, reiterated her commitment to seeking justice for Deshmukh’s family.
“I will now also meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to ensure that justice is served,” Sule stated. She also criticized Walmik Karad, a close aide to Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde, who was arrested in connection with the extortion case and shared a video before surrendering to the police. Sule questioned the audacity of individuals involved, saying, “How can people make such videos before surrendering? If authorities can track our phones, why can’t they find Krushna Andhale?”
Sule also addressed concerns from the villagers, who were contemplating a hunger strike in protest over the lack of progress in the case. She urged the residents of Massajog to refrain from resorting to such measures, promising, “We will fight together for justice.”
The NCP leader also emphasized the nationwide attention the case has received, particularly following the intervention of NCP (SP) MP Bajrang Sonawane, who raised the issue in Parliament. Sule confirmed that she and Sonawane had met with Union Minister Amit Shah, who assured them that the case would be looked into thoroughly.
“We have demanded that no one be spared in this case. I assure the family of Santosh Deshmukh that I will ensure there is no compromise, and I will closely monitor the judicial process,” she concluded.
