"He had no other option but to surrender": Shiv Sena's Deepak Kesarkar on Beed sarpanch murder case

Speaking to ANI, Kesarkar said, "...He had no other option but to surrender because all his accounts had been seized and his relatives had been arrested... People who are opposing this, their protest is baseless."

Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asserted that none of the accused in the Beed sarpanch murder case would be spared, underlining that he does not wish to engage in the politics surrounding the matter.

"We will not spare any accused. We will find them. Today, I discussed the matter with Santosh Deshmukh's brother over the phone and assured him that the police will identify the guilty and ensure they are punished. The police will act based on evidence, and those against whom evidence is found will not be spared. I do not wish to be involved in the politics surrounding this case," the Maharashtra CM said.

He further added, "I have said earlier as well that if anyone has evidence against any individual, they should provide it to us. My priority is to ensure that Santosh Deshmukh's murderer is punished. Our role is clear--justice must be served for Santosh Deshmukh."

Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district, Maharashtra, was murdered on December 9 after he allegedly opposed an extortion attempt targeting an energy firm installing windmills in the village.

The extortion attempt was allegedly led by local leader Vishnu Chate, who demanded Rs 2 crore from the company. Deshmukh's intervention reportedly led to his abduction, torture, and eventual death.

Earlier, the police have registered three FIRs in connection with the case: one for Deshmukh's kidnapping and murder, another for the assault on a windmill firm's security guard by locals, and a third for the Rs 2 crore extortion bid by local villagers targeting the firm. (ANI)