A viral CCTV clip shows suspects in the Beed sarpanch murder case, raising serious questions about their involvement and the investigation.
Beed: An old CCTV video from November 29, 2024, is making waves online. It allegedly shows several suspects linked to the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh and an extortion attempt on Avaada Wind Energy. The video features Walmik Karad, Vishnu Chate, Sudarshan Ghule, Krushna Andhale, and police sub-inspector Rajesh Patil hanging out together.
Beed MLA Suresh Dhas mentioned that this footage was recorded outside Chate’s office in Kej. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is now looking into the video to see what it reveals.
Earlier, another CCTV clip showed Patil, Ghule, and Dhananjay Deshmukh, Santosh’s brother, chatting at a hotel just a day before the murder. The new footage seems to capture a meeting where they discussed extorting money from Avaada.
Dhas pointed out that on the day of the extortion demand, Karad met Chate at the office. The video also shows Prateek Ghule and Sudarshan Ghule, who were later involved in the murder. Patil, who was seen in the footage, has been suspended due to his alleged involvement.
According to sources, Patil might be questioned by the CID and SIT soon. Investigators believe Chate, acting for Karad, demanded ₹2 crore from Avaada. When the company refused, Chate and his crew confronted a security guard, leading to Deshmukh stepping in.
Sadly, Deshmukh was kidnapped and murdered on December 9. All seven suspects, along with one who is still on the run, face charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act. Karad, a close associate of a local minister, has also been charged and is in custody until January 22.
Despite the buzz, Beed SP Navneet Kanwat and SIT chief Basavraj Teli have not commented on the new video.