Facing allegations of being the protector of an accused in the murder of Santosh Deshmukh—the sarpanch of Massajog village in Beed district—food and civil supplies minister Dhananjay Munde has refused to entertain the demand that he resign.

Munde told the mediapersons after the Cabinet meeting that he had nothing to do with the murder for which he has demanded strict action and harsh punishment for the accused. “There is no reason for my resignation. Those demanding it should give a reason,” he said. The minister, who belongs to the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar), said that the police were investigating the murder properly.