India, Feb. 27 -- On the second day of an indefinite hunger strike by the family members of slain sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh and villagers of Massajog in Beed district, the Maharashtra government appointed senior lawyer Ujjwal Nikam as the special public prosecutor in the high-profile murder case. Nikam, known for his role in prosecuting the accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts and the 26/11 terror attack, will be assisted by advocate Balasaheb Kolhe.

The announcement was made by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, and a notification issued by the state law and judiciary department confirmed the appointments.

Deshmukh's family and the villagers have been demanding the arrest of Krishna Andhale, one of the accused who remains absconding...