Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar praised Vaibhavi Deshmukh, daughter of Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, whose brutal murder on December 9, 2024 made headlines across the country. Vaibhavi, has scored 147 marks in the NEET exam. She appeared for the test amidst a deeply challenging time. Despite the trauma, Vaibhavi also secured an impressive 85.33 percent in her Class 12 board exams.
Her father’s murder caused political tension in the state because of its complicated caste and crime connections. On social media platform X, Pawar, who is also the guardian minister of Beed, said Vaibhavi’s achievement is more than just good marks. It shows how to face tough challenges bravely.
He said, “Her journey is about unwavering determination in the face of adversity and is sure to inspire an entire generation.”
Adding to that, the minister stated, “Vaibhavi’s success cannot be measured by marks alone. Despite enduring personal hardships and battling extremely challenging circumstances, she refused to be discouraged or lose focus. Channelling her grief into grit, she persevered with discipline, dedication, and clarity of purpose to pursue and realize her dream of a career in medicine.”
Pawar also mentioned that after passing her Class 12th exams, Vaibhavi stayed strong even when things were very difficult.
Details of Santosh Deshmukh’s murder case
Santosh Deshmukh was kidnapped, tortured and killed on December 9 because he tried to stop an extortion attempt on an energy company. Valmik Karad, a close aide of Dhananjay Munde (who is part of Ajit Pawar’s NCP), was arrested along with others. They were charged under strict laws like the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Because of the case, Munde had to resign from the Devendra Fadnavis cabinet after pressure from opposition parties and leaders in the ruling alliance.
Caste tensions and political impact
The murder showed deep caste differences, as Deshmukh was a Maratha, while most of the accused were from the Vanjari community. The case also became a point for opposition parties to criticise the law and order situation in the state under the Fadnavis government, with Beed becoming known for criminal politics.
With inputs from PTI
