Mumbai, Jan 7: Amid demand for NCP minister Dhananjay Munde’s resignation following the murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh from Beed district, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and party chief Ajit Pawar on Monday clarified that no action will be taken until the three ongoing investigations name anyone.

Ajit Pawar on Monday revealed the party’s official stand saying: “There are SIT, judicial and CID probes going on. Let these agencies complete their investigations. If the probe names anyone, only then there will be action.”

Ajit Pawar was speaking to reporters after his meeting with the NCP’s National Working President Praful Patel and his party leader and the State Food and Civil Supply Minister Dhananjay Munde.

Thereafter, Ajit Pawar also met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and discussed at length the political scenario amid the all-party demand for Munde’s resignation.

He has reportedly registered his displeasure over the BJP legislator Suresh Dhas’ statements against Munde in connection with the killing of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.

Earlier, Munde after his meeting with Ajit Pawar dropped hints that he would not step down.

Munde also indicated that the NCP leadership has also not sought his resignation.

He said that during his meeting with Ajit Pawar, he wished him a happy New Year and briefed him about the food and civil supply department which he holds.

“The issue of Santosh Deshmukh’s killing and the demand for resignation did not come up during my meeting with party president and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar,” he added.

He claimed that how can he stop those demanding his resignation? “I have been demanding that stern action should be taken against those involved in the killing of Santosh Deshmukh,” Munde said.

Veteran NCP leader and former Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who was denied a ministerial berth in the recent cabinet expansion, came to Munde’s defence, saying that there was no need for him to step down at this juncture.

“Munde’s resignation is being sought. I want to tell you that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has clearly said that the government will conduct a thorough investigation and take action against everyone found guilty. Why are they demanding Munde’s resignation before that? Has anything come out of the investigation? If you have anything, give it to the police. Until nothing comes out of the investigation, it is wrong to demand his resignation. I don’t think this is right,” Bhujbal told reporters.

Meanwhile, an all-party delegation on Monday urged the Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan that the NCP Minister Dhananjay Munde should immediately resign from the Cabinet, considering the involvement and possible interference in the brutal killing of the Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh from Beed district.

The delegation also demanded that the feeling of “rule of law” must be strengthened for which a case of murder under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 103 must be immediately registered against Walmik Karad, the mastermind of the kidnapping, extortion and murder case, and the case should be conducted in a fast-track court.

The delegation in its representation to the Governor also demanded that the accountability of law enforcement officials should be ensured and therefore action should be taken against police personnel who neglected their duties.

The delegation also urged the Governor to take initiatives to restore public confidence and safety of residents in the Beed district and ultimately curb extortion and hooliganism.

Kolkata, Jan 4: With the process being completed for recording of statements by witnesses in the case related to the rape and murder of a woman junior doctor of R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata, the final arguments and counter-arguments in the matter are slated to start at a special court in Kolkata from Saturday.

Sources said in this part the arguments and counter-arguments will mainly be between the counsels of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the “sole prime accused” in the crime of rape and murder Sanjay Roy, an erstwhile civic volunteer attached to Kolkata Police.

However, there will be no media access to this session as well since it has been decided from the beginning that the entire trial process in the matter will be in-camera and barring those associated with the case and their counsels, no one else will be allowed to be present within the courtroom.

Sources said that the CBI has already submitted its investigation report in the matter to the special court.

Legal circles feel one of the most dominant factors in the process of argument and counter-arguments will be the latest report of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) which has raised serious questions on the “scene of crime” in the matter.

The body of the victim doctor was recovered from the seminar hall within R.G. Kar premises on the morning of August 9 last year.

Accordingly, first the Kolkata Police and thereafter the CBI carried out the investigation considering the seminar hall as the “scene of crime”.

However, the recently-surfaced CSFL report, a copy of which is available with IANS, has clearly stated there is no scientific evidence of a scuffle within the seminar room.

The CSFL report strengthened the apprehension raised by a section of the medical fraternity in the state that the actual “scene of crime” was someplace else and the body was shifted to the seminar hall to mislead future investigations.

The CSFL also clearly stated that the confidentiality factor of the post-mortem process was totally compromised and standard protocols were not followed.

At the same time while not ruling out the possibility of the involvement of just one accused in the crime, the CSFL report advocated for further research based on different past scientific reports by experts in similar cases which can lead to the final conclusion on whether more than one person was involved in the crime.

Kangpokpi: Fresh violence erupted in Manipur’s Kangpokpi town on Friday, leaving a police official injured and a Deputy Commissioner’s office attacked, further escalating tensions in the region. A group of individuals marched towards the administrative headquarters in Kangpokpi and launched an assault, police confirmed. The incident occurred in the Kuki and tribal-dominated hilly district, where the atmosphere remains extremely tense.

Recent Protest By Kuki Women In Saibol

This development follows recent unrest in the district’s Saibol area, where Kuki women protested against the deployment of joint security forces, including the Border Security Force (BSF), Indian Army and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The protest, which took place three days earlier, came in response to a security operation on December 29.

During this operation, security personnel cleared the region of armed militants and dismantled bunkers, intensifying tensions among the local populace. Large groups of women from nearby villages gathered to obstruct the forces’ operations, reflecting growing discontent.

CM Biren Singh Apologises To People Of Manipur

The latest violence comes shortly after Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh issued a public apology for the ethnic conflict that has plagued the state since May 2023. In a heartfelt video address, Singh expressed regret for the turmoil, which has claimed over 200 lives and displaced thousands. “This entire year has been very unfortunate,” Singh stated. “I feel regret and want to say sorry to the people of the state. Many people lost their loved ones and their homes. I hope that with the New Year 2025, normalcy and peace will be restored.”

Singh also appealed to all communities to ‘forgive and forget’ past grievances, emphasizing the need for unity and reconciliation. Addressing a press conference in Imphal, he stressed the state government’s commitment to restoring peace and highlighted recent progress toward stability.

Manipur has been embroiled in sporadic violence since May 3, 2023, driven by ethnic clashes between the majority Meitei community and the Kuki tribes over reservations and economic benefits. Despite efforts to quell the unrest, incidents like the one in Kangpokpi highlight the lingering challenges in achieving lasting peace in the state.