The murder of Santosh Deshmukh, the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed, has shocked the region and raised serious concerns about the growing nexus between crime, politics, and the lucrative wind energy business in the district. Deshmukh, who was abducted and murdered on December 9, had been involved in disputes related to windmill operations in the area. His death is believed to be connected to an extortion attempt linked to the renewable energy sector, which has rapidly transformed Beed into a hub for wind power.

According to the police, Deshmukh’s involvement in mediating a conflict over an alleged ₹2 crore extortion demand from a renewable energy firm, Avaada Energy, led to tensions that ultimately resulted in his kidnapping and murder. Investigations indicate that the murder stemmed from a confrontation between Deshmukh and local criminals at a windmill site in Massajog village, which is part of a larger struggle for control over the wind energy industry.

Beed’s strategic location, with its favorable wind conditions, has made it an attractive area for wind power projects. The Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA) has supported the growth of this sector, with over 300 windmill projects already in the district. However, this boom has also attracted criminal elements seeking a slice of the profits, often backed by political figures. Local strongman Walmik Karad, reportedly linked to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), is one of the key suspects in the extortion case.

Deshmukh’s murder has highlighted the growing influence of criminal networks within the business and political landscape of Beed. The involvement of multiple criminal groups in extortion and other illegal activities has raised alarms about the district’s socio-political stability. Despite the economic growth brought by wind energy, criminality remains a significant challenge that threatens to undermine this progress.

The police have filed multiple FIRs related to the murder, assault, and extortion, and investigations are ongoing. As Beed grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the future of its wind energy sector remains uncertain, with both business leaders and locals calling for greater security and oversight to ensure the industry does not become further entangled with crime.