PUNE: After 22 days, Walmik Karad, a close aide of Maharashtra NCP minister Dhananjay Munde, on Tuesday surrendered before the Pune police in co nection with an extortion case linked to the murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh in Beed district.
Karad arrived with associates at the CID office in Pune’s Pashan area. Before turning himself in, Karad posted a video on social media, claiming that he was being linked to the murder for reasons of political vendetta.
“I am surrendering before CID officials in Pune in a fake case registered against me. Those involved in Deshmukh’s murder case should be punished and hanged. My name is being taken in the case due to political vendetta.”
After Karad’s arrest, CID said in a statement, “Karad has come here alone. More details will be shared with the media after interrogations.”
Vaibhavi Deshmukh, Santosh Deshmukh’s daughter, questioned the delay in Karad’s arrest. “If the accused is surrendering, what the police were doing till now?” she asked. She demanded that police check call detail records of all the accused and find out who they were in touch with. Bajrang Sonawane, NCP (SP) MP from Beed, said, “CID should probe the case in a transparent manner. If it is a bogus case, then why did mastermind Karad take 20 days to say this.”
CM Devendra Fadnavis said, “Those who are involved in the murder case will be arrested and hanged. We are committed to deliver justice to Santosh Deshmukh and his family.”