Pune: The abduction and murder of Santosh Deshmukh, Sarpanch of Massajog, sent shockwaves across Kej taluka and the Beed district.
Following swift action by law enforcement, a third suspect, Pratik Bhimrao Ghule (25), was apprehended on Wednesday (December 11) from Ranjangaon (Pune) by the Beed Local Crime Branch Police.
Santosh Deshmukh was abducted and murdered earlier this week, with all accused fleeing after the incident. In response, residents of Massajog and Kej organized a road blockade on Tuesday to demand the immediate arrest of the culprits.
The protesters, including relatives of the deceased, refused to take custody of the body until concrete action was taken against the accused.
During late-night discussions at the protest site in Massajog, activist Manoj Jarange, the victim's relatives, and local villagers met with District Superintendent of Police Avinash Bargal.
The following assurances were made:
Arrest of all accused in the case at the earliest.
Suspension of Police Sub-Inspector Rajesh Patil of Kej Police Station.
Submission of a proposal for the suspension of Police Inspector Prashant Mahajan within two days.
Police protection for the complainant.
Provision of a government lawyer for the case.
Recommendation for a CBI inquiry to the state government.
These assurances led to the family agreeing to accept the body 24 hours after the incident.
On the basis of a tip-off, the police learned that Pratik Ghule had fled towards Pune after the crime. Acting swiftly, they apprehended him in Ranjangaon (Pune).
Earlier, police had arrested two suspects, Jayram Manik Chate (21) of Tambwa and Mahesh Sakharam Kedar (21) of Maindwadi, Dharur taluka, on the second day of the incident.
With Ghule’s arrest, a total of three suspects are now in custody. Police sources confirmed that Ghule would be presented in court on Thursday (December 12).