Prosecution seeks seizure of Karad’s assets in Massajog sarpanch murder case

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam on Thursday said a fresh application was moved before the special MCOCA court in Beed to demand the seizure of movable and immovable properties of Valmik Karad, the main accused in the killing of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.
"We have filed an application to seize the movable and immovable properties of Karad. There has been no response from Karad to this so far," Nikam told media persons after appearing for the hearing in the Deshmukh murder case.
He said the earlier application seeking seizure of Karad's assets was made when he was absconding.
Nikam said Karad moved an application before the court claiming that he was innocent. "Karad claimed that he was not guilty and requested the court to absolve him from all charges. He claimed that there was no primary evidence against him. Karad contended that he is neither linked with the murder case nor the extortion case," he said.
The court sought CID's version on Karad's application. The agency would submit its say during the next hearing in the case on April 24, Nikam said.
The special public prosecutor also said the video of the actual beating of Deshmukh was submitted before the court on Thursday.
Karad sought some documents, and the same, along with other documents, were produced by the CID before the court. "The material we produced before the court included the video of the actual beating up of Deshmukh. As per CID investigation, the accused in the murder case captured the video, which was sent to the forensic laboratory," Nikam said.
He said, "We requested the court that the video should not get publicity of any form as it could cause a law and order situation. The court has sought a version of all accused (on the video), which will be submitted before the court on April 24."
The hearing on Karad's application will take place first before the court, followed by which the prosecution will submit draft charges against the accused. The court will hear arguments from both sides on the draft charges, Nikam said.
Dhananjay, brother of the slain sarpanch, said a fast-track court should be set up for the murder case. "We want justice. The fast-track court may settle the case in six to seven months. We are planning to move the application for setting up a fast-track court through CID," he said. He added that the Beed police should share their version on Krushna Andhale, one of the accused in the Deshmukh murder case who is still absconding.