**Maharashtra Court Denies Discharge for Accused in Extortion and Murder Case**
A special court in Beed, operating under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), has denied a discharge application from Walmik Baburao Karad, the primary suspect in a high-profile extortion and murder case linked to Avaada Energy Private Limited in Kaij district, Maharashtra. The court found sufficient prima facie evidence indicating Karad’s involvement in a criminal syndicate.
Karad, who is closely associated with former Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) minister Dhananjay Munde, faces charges related to the murder of village head Santosh Deshmukh. He sought discharge under Section 250 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), claiming he was wrongfully implicated due to political motives. He denied any association with organized crime and contested the legality of the MCOCA sanction.
Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, now a Rajya Sabha member, asserted that the sanction was obtained following proper procedures. The presiding judge, V.H. Patwadkar, noted that Karad and his accomplices allegedly demanded ₹2 crore from Avaada Energy, threatening to disrupt their operations if their demands were not met. When Deshmukh attempted to intervene, he was reportedly abducted and murdered on December 9, 2024. Witness testimonies and electronic evidence have reportedly connected Karad to the crime.
The court highlighted that Karad has 20 registered cases against him, with seven occurring in the last decade, indicating a pattern of ongoing unlawful activities. The judge stated, “This prima facie shows that Karad is involved in continuing unlawful activities.” The court also emphasized the presence of substantial evidence, including scientific, digital, and forensic materials, to support the charges under various legal provisions.
The judge concluded that the validity of the prior permission or sanction under MCOCA should not be questioned at this stage. The evidence presented suggests that the crime was committed due to the non-fulfillment of the ransom demand by the company, followed by conspiracy, abduction, and the subsequent murder of Deshmukh. The court ruled that there were adequate grounds to proceed with the trial, ultimately rejecting Karad’s plea and affirming his involvement in organized crime.
**FAQ**
**Q: What are the charges against Walmik Baburao Karad?**
A: Walmik Baburao Karad is charged with extortion and the murder of village head Santosh Deshmukh, linked to a criminal syndicate and ongoing unlawful activities.
