Valmik Karad, the prime suspect in the murder case of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, faces increasing scrutiny as new allegations surface daily. On Thursday, BJP MLA Suresh Dhas claimed that Karad has been under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) since 2022 for allegedly accumulating assets exceeding Rs 100 crore.
Speaking at a protest in Paithan, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Dhas alleged that Karad had acquired massive wealth through questionable means.
“Karad received a notice from the ED in 2022 for accumulating assets exceeding Rs 100 crore. He purchased seven shops in Pune for Rs5 crore each, and even his driver owns a flat worth Rs15 crore,” Dhas claimed. The BJP leader further alleged that Karad had planted informants in the Maval region to alert him about lucrative property deals.
Dhas also targeted the Beed police over the probe into the murder case.
“Actors from TV shows like ‘Savdhan India’ and ‘CID’ should be deployed in Parli, but the real policemen should not be deployed there, and I am going to put forth this demand in writing to the chief minister,” he said sarcastically.
Sule: Karad getting preferential treatment (9SULE_PK)
Supriya Sule lambasted the ED for its failure to act against Karad under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). She stated that timely action could have potentially prevented Deshmukh’s murder.
“For over a month, members of Beed and Parbhani districts have been raising concerns. Leaders like Bajrang Sonawane, Jitendra Awhad and Sandeep Kshirsagar have brought this issue to both Parliament and the legislative assembly,” Sule said.
Highlighting inconsistencies, Sule pointed out that while leaders like Anil Deshmukh, Sanjay Raut, and Nawab Malik had faced legal scrutiny, Karad continued to receive preferential treatment.
Sule also criticised Karad’s appointment as the head of the Ladki Bahin Scheme in Beed district, despite being named in an FIR linked to an extortion case.
“We don’t have anything against Karad as a person, but we are against the tendency. There should be zero tolerance against crime and financial fraud,” she said.
“There should be a transparent probe into the sarpanch murder case and the death of a Dalit youth in judicial custody in Parbhani,” she demanded.
The opposition continues to demand accountability, questioning whether Karad’s political connections have shielded him from scrutiny. The developments in this case are likely to intensify political tensions in Maharashtra.
