Maharashtra Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat on Wednesday demanded the strictest punishment for the attackers and masterminds behind the murder of Beed Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh after visiting his family. He also called for the case to be fast-tracked in court, news agency PTI reported.

Deshmukh was abducted and murdered on December 9, sparking a political uproar, with the Opposition accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti government of failing to take firm action and of shielding an aide of a minister.