Brutal torture before murder: Sarpanch beaten, urinated on in Maharashtra killing
Mumbai: The shocking murder of Maharashtra village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh has exposed a case of extreme brutality, with police revealing that he was tortured for over two hours before being killed. The accused, linked to a political extortion racket, recorded videos of the assault, showing them beating him with rods, urinating on him, and making video calls to document the crime.
Hours of brutality captured on video
On 9 December 2024, Deshmukh was abducted from Dongaon toll plaza in Beed district by six men in an SUV. He was taken towards Kej taluka, where he was subjected to prolonged torture. According to the police chargesheet, he was beaten with an iron rod, gas pipe, wooden sticks, and sharp weapons for more than two hours.
The attackers filmed at least 15 videos and took eight photos of the assault. One of the videos shows five men thrashing Deshmukh with a white pipe and a wooden stick while he lay half-naked, bleeding profusely. Another video captures one of the accused urinating on him as he struggled for life. The attackers even made two video calls to document their actions in real-time.
Later that evening, Deshmukh was found unconscious at Daithna Shivar and was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead.
Extortion and political links
Deshmukh’s killing was linked to a ₹2 crore extortion attempt targeting Avaada, a Mumbai-based wind energy company operating in Beed’s Massajog village. He had opposed local criminal Sudarshan Ghule’s attempts to force the company to pay up, fearing it would drive away businesses and impact villagers' livelihoods. This resistance made him a target.
The police investigation named Walmik Karad, a close aide of then Maharashtra minister Dhananjay Munde, as the mastermind. Karad allegedly directed the accused to "eliminate anyone who came in the way of the extortion bid."
Political fallout and resignation
As chilling details emerged, the opposition demanded action. The 1,200-page Crime Investigation Department (CID) chargesheet and viral videos of the torture put immense pressure on the Maharashtra government. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, after discussions with Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, moved to contain the damage, leading to Dhananjay Munde’s resignation.
Munde, in his resignation statement, called for the harshest punishment for the accused and cited personal health reasons for stepping down.
Caste tensions in Marathwada
The murder has also deepened caste tensions in the region. Deshmukh, a Maratha, had supported BJP leader Pankaja Munde in the last elections. Meanwhile, the accused—Karad, Ghule, and Vishnu Chate—are from the Vanjari community. Several Maratha leaders, including BJP’s Suresh Dhas, have since demanded justice for Deshmukh.
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Akeal Hosein bosses powerplay overs with 'skill and mental fortitude'
New Delhi (PTI): For a spinner who bowls majority of his overs in the powerplay, Chennai Super Kings' West Indian import Akeal Hosein relies as much on mental fortitude as his skills to excel in the most unforgiving phase of the game.
With just two fielders in the deep in the first six overs, the margin for error is miniscule and the pressure is sky high.
However, Hosein thrives in that tense environment. The left-arm spinner returned with frugal figures of 3-0-15-1 in the powerplay to play a crucial role in his team's eight-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in an IPL match here on Tuesday.
"You need both of them (skill and mental toughness). Especially when you come upon pitches that aren't conducive to spin and it's just about being disciplined as well," he said.
"Having two fielders out in the power play. It's not a job that you can go searching for wickets or you can be too greedy. It's just about sticking to the plan," he explained.
Hosein got the all-important wicket of an in-form K L Rahul, who was foxed by the West Indian as he stepped out to smash him for an inside out six.
Hosein's inclusion in the playing eleven after not being picked in the initial phase of the tournament has allowed CSK to win more games. On Tuesday, the pitch offered him a bit of help and he ended up dominating the batters.
After the win over DC, Hosein was asked about his recipe for success in the powerplay.
"...it's a bit scripted because you only have two guys out so it's just about being disciplined and trying to do the job for the team. At the end of the day if you don't get wickets and you bowl economically in the power play, that's a damn good job you've done for the team," said Hosein.
He has taken seven wickets in five games at an impressive economy rate of 7.25.
Fully aware that the batter is a mere couple of hits away from putting the pressure back on him, Hosein says practising for high-pressure situations helps him stay in the present.
"I think homework is very important. You want to have that head-start when you come up against whichever batter you're going to face. And like I say it's just about making assessments as quickly as possible.
"You might come up on a pitch that is spinning. You might come up against one that isn't spinning. Thankfully I can spin the ball. So it's just about picking which deliveries will give you the most success on a particular day and against a particular batter," said Hosein.
He got rid of Rahul first ball from the other end, something that was decided by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Post powerplay, Noor Ahmad took over the mantle from Hosein and maintained the pressure on DC batters.
"Getting the opportunity to bowl first for me is just about again making that assessment as quickly as possible and then passing on that information to Noor or even to the seamers as well if it was a bit of spin or if it's gripping or whatever the case is.
"So conversations with myself and Noor have been fantastic. Really happy for him that he's getting some success," he added.
