Maharashtra Government Forms Special Investigation Team to Probe Murder of Massajog Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh

The Maharashtra government announced the formation of a 10-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. The team will be led by IPS officer Basavraj Teli, currently serving as the Deputy Inspector General in the Crime Investigation Department.

The case has taken a political turn, with the prime accused in an extortion case linked to the murder, Walmik Karad, being a close associate of NCP minister Dhananjay Munde. As a result, the case is now seen as a clash between the Maratha community, to which the deceased sarpanch belonged, and the Vanajari community of the OBCs, represented by Minister Munde.

Interestingly, DIG Basavraj Teli, who will head the SIT, is reported to be from the OBC community. Meanwhile, villagers in Massajog have launched a 'jal samadhi' agitation, demanding the arrest of the absconding accused in the murder case.​