Mumbai: The Congress on Tuesday said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should resign as the police failed to arrest Valmik Karad, an accused in an extortion case linked to sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh’s murder, until he turned himself in.
Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe questioned the police’s failure to track down Karad, who was wanted in an extortion case in Beed district, for three weeks.
“Mumbai police, once considered on par with Scotland Yard, failed to deliver justice. Fadnavis has no moral ground to remain chief minister,” he said.
Opposition NCP (SP) on Tuesday dubbed the surrender of Valmik Karad, wanted in an extortion case linked to the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh in Maharashtra’s Beed, as an orchestrated move and mockery of the state police.
NCP (SP) working president and MP Supriya Sule said Karad posting the video was shocking and distressing. “If the police had arrested Karad, it would have been reassuring. One accused makes a video, posts it on social media, and still, the police fail to arrest him. It is unfortunate that he surrenders to the police afterward.”
Before turning himself in, he posted a video on social media, claiming that he was being linked to the murder for reasons of political vendetta.
Addressing a press conference, NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad reiterated the demand to sack ruling NCP MLA Dhananjay Munde from the state cabinet, alleging that Karad was his close aide.
“This (Karad’s surrender) is very shocking and suspicious. It creates doubts about the police. This is a mockery of the police. No wanted criminal can surrender, the police are not so weak,” Awhad said. Targeting Munde, Awhad asked can a person (Karad) close to a minister be interrogated despite the minister still being in the cabinet.
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange indicated that the Maratha community, to which Deshmukh belonged, would launch an agitation if the government failed to take action against the supporters of the accused, whether they be ministers, MLAs or MPs. “The chief minister must ensure justice by acting against the accused (Karad) and those who supported him,” he added.
Unnecessary arms licence to be cancelled
Police in Beed are reviewing all weapon licenses to ensure they are issued for legitimate reasons. Beed Superintendent of Police, Navneet Kanwat, stated that FIRs will be filed against individuals whose photos or videos showing them flaunting guns on social media are found.
Munde cousins should resign: Damania
Social activist Anjali Damania has demanded that Maharashtra ministers Pankaja Munde and Dhananjay Munde resign till a probe is underway into the sarpanch murder. Damania alleged that the Munde cousins are well-acquainted with Karad. “If nothing is found in this case, they can be reinstated in their ministerial positions. But for now, they should step down,” Damania stated.
