Beed Sarpanch Murder Case: Police Custody of NCP's Vishnu Chate Extended Until January 6

The police custody of Vishnu Chate, a former tehsil chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Maharashtra's Beed district, has been extended until January 6. Chate is implicated in the kidnapping and murder of Santosh Deshmukh, a village head. He was presented before a court in Kej tehsil after his initial custody ended. Chate is the fourth person arrested in this case.

Earlier arrests include Jairam Chate, Mahesh Kedar, and Pratik Ghule. Authorities are actively searching for three additional suspects linked to Deshmukh's abduction and murder on December 9. The victim was the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district. The police have intensified their efforts to apprehend all involved.

Extortion Case and Community Tensions

In a related extortion case, Walmik Karad from Beed is also wanted. Karad is reportedly close to NCP minister and Parli MLA Dhananjay Munde. His wife has been questioned as part of the investigation to locate him. The extortion case involves demands made to an energy company operating a windmill in the district.

Vishnu Chate was apprehended by the crime branch on December 18 from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for allegedly demanding Rs 2 crore from the energy firm. He threatened to halt their operations if his demands were unmet. Deshmukh attempted to intervene, which led to his abduction and murder.

Community Impact and Investigation Progress

The murder has sparked protests across Beed, especially after images of Deshmukh's body with injuries circulated on social media. The incident has taken on a caste dimension due to Deshmukh's Maratha community background and Chate's Vanjari community affiliation, part of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). This adds complexity amid ongoing Maratha quota agitation and OBC opposition.

The CID team investigating the murder took custody of Vishnu Chate for questioning on Friday. An FIR was filed against seven individuals, including Chate, following Deshmukh's death. The extortion case against Chate, Karad, and another individual was lodged based on the energy firm's complaint.

The investigation continues as authorities strive to bring all perpetrators to justice while addressing community tensions arising from this tragic event.