7 held for murder of Maha official
A day after Malegaon additional district collector Yashwant Sonawane (45) was burnt alive by the oil mafia in Nashik, his grief-stricken family demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation of the murder and the adulteration racket being operated by black-marketers.
The police, meanwhile arrested seven men in connection with the murder of the official. Expecting a fair inquiry into his death, the victim’s elder brother, Shama Sonawane, said, “We want the killers to be hanged to death within six months. We will also demand an independent CBI probe in order to speed up the investigation process and unearth the huge oil mafia racket.”
The oil mafia siphons off oil from tankers filled at Panewadi plant, near Manmad, and sells it in adulterated form. Sonawane was burnt alive in the vicinity of the plant when he intervened after noticing adulteration being carried out at a roadside dhaba on Tuesday.
“The incident is a blot on humanity. The killers should be taught a lesson so that such an act is not repeated again. My brother was a non-corrupt officer who stood against the oil mafia,” added Shama, who preferred to give an interview to this correspondent in writing after breaking into tears while talking.
The slain officer’s widow, Vijaya, has not eaten a morsel since the news of his killing and remained inconsolable. The horrifying attack has also robbed Pavan (18) and Pankaj (16) of their father.
“His only source of income was the salary he earned from the government and he did not budge in the face of any offer from the oil mafia,” said Kunal Wagh, a family friend.
The police arrested Vilas Shinde, Raju Shirsat, Kunal Shinde, Davidas Surwadkar, Sitaram Bhalerao, Dipak Borase and Tausif Altaf Shaikh in connection with the killing. They were produced before a local court on Wednesday and remanded to police custody till February 8.
Popat Dattu Shinde, the prime suspect in the case, was still critical on Wednesday after having suffered 60 per cent burns in the incident. Shinde is a repeat offender and has three cases registered against him under the Essential Commodities Act. He was also externed in 2006.
People in Nashik city on Wednesday carried out a silent march led by RPI leader and former MP Prakash Ambedkar.
Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan vowed to get to the “root” of the incident. He also ordered strict action against those indulging in adulteration of fuel. “We are going into the root of this incident — what exactly happened and who are behind it,” Mr Chavan said. Sonawane’s last rites were conducted in Nashik Tuesday night.
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