MUMBAI, July 11 -- Bowing to mounting pressure from legislators across party lines, the Maharashtra government on Thursday announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the murder of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sachin Kurmi in Byculla last October. The decision was announced in the state legislative council by Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam, a Shiv Sena leader, after members of the ruling alliance as well as the opposition cornered the government over police inaction in the case and demanded justice for the victim's family. Kurmi, 46, also known as Munna, was associated with the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction. He was stabbed to death by unidentified assailants on October 4, 2024, while out on a post-dinner walk in Byculla. Nearly nine months since the crime, the main accused remain at large and Kurmi's family has alleged continued threats from them. Raising the issue through a calling attention motion, NCP MLC Pankaj Bhujbal criticised the police for failing to deliver justice. "The main accused are roaming free. Kurmi's college-going son was recently threatened and told he would meet the same fate as his father if he pursued the case," Bhujbal said. Leader of Opposition Ambadas Danve from Shiv Sena (UBT) alleged police negligence and political interference in the case. "There are serious allegations that police officer Suhas Mane destroyed evidence, allowing the accused to walk free. I have information that political pressure was exerted on the police to protect the accused. There must be a high-level inquiry, and Kurmi's family should be given police protection," Danve said. Senior members from both the opposition and ruling alliance echoed these concerns. BJP MLC Praveen Darekar said, "This government, under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis, has always claimed zero tolerance towards crime. We expect action. An SIT must be constituted." NCP (SP) MLC Shashikant Shinde also criticised the probe, calling it inadequate and compromised. Initially, Kadam said a senior officer would conduct a high-level inquiry and that the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) would be invoked once the investigation progressed. However, following persistent demands, Kadam eventually agreed to set up a SIT to handle the case....