Maharashtra opposition leaders protest at Vidhan Bhavan over Parbhani custodial death, Beed sarpanch murder

NAGPUR: Opposition leaders, including MVA members, staged a protest at the stairs of Vidhan Bhavan on Tuesday, demanding swift action in the custodial death of Somnath Surevanshi in Parbhani and the alleged murder of a sarpanch, Santosh Deshmukh. The protests were fuelled by a postmortem report confirming that injuries caused by police brutality led to Surevanshi's death.

Congress leader Nitin Raut slammed the ruling state govt for its failure to ensure justice and accused the police administration of negligence. Speaking to reporters, Raut said, “The medical report exposes the police’s role in this tragic death. This is a gross failure of governance. The peace committee formed to maintain order failed to act, allowing tensions to escalate. The govt’s delayed response has only worsened the situation.”

Raut called for a judicial inquiry into the custodial death and demanded immediate action against the police personnel responsible. He also criticised the govt for prioritising damage control over addressing the grievances of the victim’s family.

Echoing similar sentiments, MVA leaders alleged that the ruling govt’s inaction in both the custodial death and the sarpanch’s murder points to systemic administrative apathy. “The fundamental right to protest is being crushed in this democracy,” Leader of the Opposition Ambadas Danve said, emphasising that the govt must act promptly to restore public confidence.

The custodial death and the alleged murder have sparked widespread protests in Parbhani, with activists and local residents expressing anger over the lack of accountability. The unrest has become a flashpoint for opposition leaders to highlight governance failures and police excesses.

As tensions remain high, the state govt faces mounting pressure to address public outrage, ensure justice for the victims, and restore peace in the region.

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