Residents of Massajog village in Maharashtra’s Beed district have launched an indefinite hunger strike, protesting against what they call a “dissatisfactory” probe into the murder of their sarpanch, Santosh Deshmukh. The villagers are demanding a reinvestigation into alleged lapses by Kej police in the initial phase and the immediate arrest of absconding accused Krushna Andhale.
The ‘Annatyag Andolan’ (hunger strike) will continue until officials meet the protesters and assure them of concrete action, said Dhananjay Deshmukh, the slain sarpanch’s brother, who is leading the agitation alongside family members. A group of villagers had met Beed Superintendent of Police (SP) Navneet Kanwat on Monday, expressing frustration over the lack of transparency in the probe.
Dhananjay Deshmukh claimed that Kej police had withheld crucial details from the SP, raising suspicions of deliberate negligence or conspiracy. The case was later transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), but villagers insist that “mistakes” in the initial probe suggest foul play.
Adding to the demands, villagers have called for a fast-track court hearing and the appointment of a special public prosecutor. Earlier, they staged a ‘Jal Samadhi’ protest, standing in water for hours to press their demands.
Santosh Deshmukh was abducted and murdered on December 9, 2024, allegedly for opposing an extortion attempt on a wind energy company operating in the area. The extortion case led to the arrest of Walmik Karad, a close aide of Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Dhananjay Munde. However, villagers believe that influential figures might be shielding key culprits.
Kej police were accused of deliberate inaction between December 6 and 9, leading to the suspension of a sub-inspector and the transfer of the district superintendent of police. SP Kanwat assured that a delegation would meet the protesters and review their grievances. “We have asked them to submit their demands in writing. Once received, an inquiry will be conducted into their allegations about the initial investigation,” he told PTI on Tuesday.
With rising political pressure and widespread public outrage, the Santosh Deshmukh murder case is fast becoming a litmus test for Maharashtra’s law enforcement and political leadership.
