Evidence shows Walmik Karad is member of crime syndicate: Maharashtra court

A special court under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in Beed has rejected a discharge application filed by Walmik Baburao Karad, the prime accused in a case involving extortion and murder liked to a company called Avaada Energy Private Limited in Kaij district of Beed, Maharashtra.

The court observed that there is prima facie evidence to show that the accused is a member of a crime syndicate.

Karad, a close aide of former Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) minister Dhananjay Munde, was booked under MCOCA for the murder of a village head, Santosh Deshmukh.

Karad had sought his discharge under Section 250 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), contending that he was falsely implicated due to a political vendetta. He denied playing any role in a crime syndicate and challenged the legality of the prior approval and sanction under MCOCA.

Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, who is now a Rajya Sabha member, submitted that the sanction for MCOCA was taken as per procedure.

Special judge V.H. Patwadkar noted that Karad and his co-accused had allegedly demanded rupees 2 crore from Avaada Energy and had threatened to halt their operations in the area if their demands were not met.

When Deshmukh tried to intervene in the matter, he was allegedly abducted and killed on December 9, 2024. Witness statements and electronic evidence reportedly linked Karad to the murder.

The court observed that 20 cases were registered against Karad, and 7 of those were within the past decade. The judge said, "This prima facie shows that Karad is involved in continuing unlawful activities."

Indicating a pattern of continuing unlawful activity, the court further held that there was prima facie material, including scientific, digital, and forensic evidence, to proceed with charges under numerous sections of the law.

"Validity of prior permission or sanction shall not be doubted at this juncture. Thus, the statements of witnesses, material, technical, digital, scientific and forensic evidence prima facie reveal that the offence was committed by Karad and co-accused persons as a result of non-fulfillment of the demand of the ransom by the company, obstruction by Deshmukh, followed by conspiracy, abduction and elimination of deceased," the judge added.

He also ruled that the scope for discharge at this stage was limited and that sufficient grounds existed to proceed with the trial, thereby rejecting Karad’s plea while adding, "The applicant appears to have been a member of the organised crime syndicate and was involved in continuing unlawful activities."

- Ends