NCP founder Sharad Pawar’s daughter and NCP MP Supriya Sule questioned on Thursday why the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has not taken action against Massajog village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh murder accused Valmik Karad, as per provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

“Santosh Deshmukh murder accused Valmik Karad was already facing a case of extortion and a case was registered against him for extortion under the PMLA Act. So why did the ED not take any action against Valmik Karad,” she questioned.

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She said that the windmill company had even sent a notice in the extortion case in May 2024. “So why did the ED not take action even though a case was registered against Valmik Karad,” Supriya Sule asked, waving copies of all the FIRs registered against Valmik Karad to the media.

“Didn’t the state government send information about this crime to the Central government? Therefore, I and Bappan (Sharad Pawar-led NCP MP Bajrang Sonawane) will write a letter to the Union Finance Ministry. If investments are coming to Maharashtra and such extortion keeps happening, then how will investments come to Maharashtra? How will investors get justice? Santosh Deshmukh’s murder is only one case. The other crime is financial fraud. Why did the ED not bother? Why is Valmik Karad constantly given special treatment? If action had been taken against the crime registered in May 2024, Santosh Deshmukh would not have been murdered. The Maharashtra government will have to answer for this,” Sule said.

She also posed more uncomfortable questions.

“Valmik Karad is still the chairman of the Parli taluka committee of the Laadki Bahin Scheme. This scheme was introduced after the Lok Sabha elections. Valmik Karad had a case of extortion against him before Lok Sabha elections. Can someone who is accused of extortion be the chairman of the Laadki Bahin Scheme? Why has the ED not taken action as per PMLA provision? Why is it that even 30 days after the brutal murder of Santosh Deshmukh, one of the murderers is still absconding? When will he be arrested? Why was a person with a case of extortion filed against him made the chairman of the Laadki Bahin Scheme committee in Parli taluka of Beed district,” Sule asked.