Beed Gang Involved in Sarpanch Murder Booked Under MCOCA for Series of Violent Crimes

In a major crackdown on organized crime in Maharashtra’s Beed district, the police have invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against a gang allegedly involved in the abduction and murder of a village sarpanch. The gang, led by Raghunath Ramrao Phad, has been linked to the brutal killing of Santosh Deshmukh, the elected sarpanch of Massajog village, in December 2024. Deshmukh was reportedly targeted after he opposed an extortion attempt involving a private energy company.

The gang has a notorious history of violent crimes across Beed and nearby regions. Their criminal record includes attempted murder, physical assault, robbery, and land grabbing. The latest action under MCOCA was prompted by a recent violent robbery complaint in which a man named Sahadev Satbhai was assaulted and robbed of ₹2.7 lakh and his mobile phone near Jalalpur Road. This incident led investigators to uncover a deeper web of criminal activities tied to the gang, including their involvement in Deshmukh’s murder.

Police investigations revealed that the gang had close ties with Valmik Karad, a key suspect in the sarpanch's murder case. It was found that Karad had assisted in the planning and execution of Deshmukh’s abduction. The sarpanch was allegedly lured away under false pretenses, after which he was tortured and killed. His body was later recovered in a mutilated state, leading to widespread outrage and demands for justice from local residents and political leaders.

So far, police have arrested Raghunath Phad and four of his accomplices. However, two key members of the gang remain absconding, and efforts are underway to trace and apprehend them. The authorities have confirmed that at least ten serious criminal cases are registered against members of this gang, and the application of MCOCA is expected to help dismantle the organized structure they had built.

The murder of Santosh Deshmukh sent shockwaves through the state, sparking massive protests and a statewide bandh by over 28,000 gram panchayats. Village leaders and sarpanches across Maharashtra united to demand stringent action against organized crime and better protection for public representatives.

Police officials stated that the use of MCOCA sends a strong message to criminal networks operating under political or financial cover. They emphasized that such gangs will be dealt with severely and dismantled completely to restore law and order in rural areas. The case continues to be monitored at the highest levels, and further arrests are expected as the investigation progresses.