Mumbai: The murder of Santosh Deshmukh, sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district, has taken a new turn with the emergence of shocking details from the Crime Investigation Department (CID) chargesheet. The chargesheet, submitted last week in a Beed district court, documents the extreme brutality inflicted upon Deshmukh before his death and has intensified the political debate in Maharashtra.

According to the chargesheet, the accused recorded 15 videos and took eight photos while torturing Deshmukh. They also made two WhatsApp video calls during the assault. The videos, which range in duration from two seconds to over two minutes, show Deshmukh being beaten and humiliated. The attackers used a 41-inch gas pipe with a handle, an iron rod with five clutch wires, wooden sticks, and sharp weapons to inflict injuries on him. The sarpanch was forced to sit half-naked on the ground while being kicked, punched, and struck with various objects. In one of the videos, an accused is seen forcing Deshmukh to chant a slogan in his praise. Another clip shows one of the attackers urinating on the severely injured victim.

Deshmukh was abducted on December 9, 2024, from Dongaon toll plaza by six men and taken in an SUV, followed by another vehicle. He was later found unconscious at Daithna Shivar near Nandur Ghat Road the same evening. A police search team rushed him to the hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. His body bore multiple injuries, indicating prolonged torture. The investigation revealed that the attack was planned as a revenge killing after Deshmukh attempted to foil an extortion attempt targeting an energy company.

The CID has arrested seven individuals in connection with the murder, including Valmik Karad, a close associate of Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde. One person remains absconding. The probe has also uncovered that Sudarshan Ghule, one of the main accused, runs a crime syndicate operating in Beed, Ambajogai, Kej, and Dharashiv districts. His gang is linked to 11 serious criminal cases, including kidnapping and extortion. In May 2024, Ghule had allegedly kidnapped a project officer from an energy firm for ransom, a case that was reported to the Kej police.

The political fallout from the case has intensified after images and videos of Deshmukh's torture surfaced on social media. The visuals, though not officially released by the authorities, have caused a significant public outcry. The emergence of these images led to an emergency meeting at Devgiri, attended by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, NCP leaders Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Minister Dhananjay Munde. Sources indicate that the discussions centered around the potential resignation of Munde, given his close ties to the main accused.

The controversy has erupted during the budget session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, with opposition parties, particularly the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), expected to press the government for answers. Earlier demands for Munde’s resignation had been dismissed, but the new evidence has reignited calls for his removal. Social activist Anjali Damania has also raised allegations of corruption against Munde, further escalating the political crisis.