Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD
Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just
Try GOLD - Free
How Walmik Karad Gained Prominence
Hindustan Times Pune
|January 01, 2025
Dhananjay Munde's close aide rose from the ranks to become one of Beed's movers and shakers
PUNE/MUMBAI: At a Dussehra gathering in 2024 at Bhagwanbaba Gadh, in Beed district, when Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pankaja Munde stood up to introduce prominent leaders on the dais, she was interrupted by loud chants from the crowd facing her — everyone asked for Walmik Karad, who was in the audience. Pankaja, now a minister in the state cabinet, responded to the chants from the audience with a barbed remark: "Where is Walmik Karad without whom Dhananjay Munde can't function?"
The crowd cheered on, as Dhananjay Munde, her cousin, a senior NCP leader and minister, looked uneasy on the dais.
Pankaja's remark was not an exaggeration. For years, Karad has been the right-hand man of Dhananjay. His proximity to power made him a force to reckon with in Beed, but on Tuesday, Karad's fall from grace became official.
After evading authorities for weeks, he surrendered to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Pune-headquartered State Criminal Investigation Department (CID). He arrived at the CID's Pashan office in a Scorpio driven by one of his supporters. (He is known to own a fleet of swanky cars.) Minutes before this, he released a video to his supporters with a message: "I am surrendering before the police despite having the right to avail pre-arrest bail. I am ready to face any punishment if found guilty."
Karad, in his early 50s, is entangled in a web of criminal investigations, including a ₹2 crore extortion bid from Avaada Group, a renewable energy company, in Beed, which is linked to the murder of Santosh Deshmukh, a sarpanch of Massajog village, on December 9. Since the murder came to light, the opposition has been demanding Dhananjay Munde's resignation.
"Santosh Deshmukh's murder case should be sent to a fast-track court, and until the verdict is out, Dhananjay Munde should step down from the cabinet," said Sandip Kshirsagar, an NCP (SP) legislator.
This story is from the January 01, 2025 edition of Hindustan Times Pune.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Hindustan Times Pune
Hindustan Times Pune
'Early India-EU FTA can aid global stability'
The speedy conclusion of a trade deal between India and the European Union (EU) can make a “big difference” to efforts to stabilise the global economy and strengthen democratic forces, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday.
1 min
October 30, 2025
Hindustan Times Pune
Will keep telling myself to stay calm, believe: Shafali
MUMBAI: On the eve of their all-important Women’s World Cup semifinal against defending champions Australia, as the India batters lined up fora hit out in the nets, Shafali Verma also took guard at the DY Patil Sports Complex’s University ground on ‘Wednesday afternoon.
2 mins
October 30, 2025
Hindustan Times Pune
Air India CEO calls crash tragic, awaits final probe report
Describing the crash of a Boeing 787 in June as “absolutely devastating,” Air India chief executive officer (CEO) Campbell Wilson on Wednesday said the airline continues to support affected families and staff while cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
2 mins
October 30, 2025
Hindustan Times Pune
Suzuki looks to drive revival with SUVs
TOKYO: Suzuki Motor plans to launch eight sport utility vehicles in India over the next five to six years as it looks to reclaim market share lost to rivals, the Japanese automaker's president Toshihiro Suzuki said on Wednesday.
1 min
October 30, 2025
Hindustan Times Pune
RELIANCE GROUP ALLEGES BID TO TARNISH IMAGE
Anil Ambani's Reliance Group on Wednesday issued a statement in anticipation of an online portal targeting it with an alleged expose, saying corporate rivals were resorting toa campaign of calumny, disinformation and character assassination.
1 min
October 30, 2025
Hindustan Times Pune
Israel says it will uphold Gaza ceasefire after strikes kill 104
The Israeli military said on Wednesday that it would abide by a ceasefire accord in Gaza, as health officials in the enclave said airstrikes had killed 104 people, with both Israel and Hamas trading blame for violations of the deal.
1 mins
October 30, 2025
Hindustan Times Pune
Nvidia is 1st $5tn co on back of AI mania
BENGALURU: Nvidia made history on Wednesday as the first company to reach $5 trillion in market value, powered by a stunning rally that has cemented its place at the center of the global artificial intelligence boom.
1 min
October 30, 2025
Hindustan Times Pune
Smart, multiple alliances can be India’s new path
The international system is undergoing a profound transformation.
3 mins
October 30, 2025
Hindustan Times Pune
New US immigration rule: No auto extn of work authorisation
The US Department of Homeland Security has eliminated automatic extensions of employment authorisation documents, a move that will force foreign workers — especially Indians who make up a large portion of the expat workforce — to stop working if their renewals are not approved before their current permits expire.
1 min
October 30, 2025
Hindustan Times Pune
NATO: REDUCED U.S. MILITARY PRESENCE IN EASTERN EUROPE AN ‘ADJUSTMENT’
Nato said on Wednesday it had been informed in advance of US plans to reduce some of its troops deployed on the alliance’s eastern flank, describing the move as an “adjustment” and nothing “unusual”, AFP reported.
1 min
October 30, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size