Sonawane murder: Prime accused dies
The prime accused in the brutal murder of the additional district collector Yashwant Sonawane, Popat Shinde died on Monday afternoon at the J.J. Hospital in Mumbai while undergoing treatment for burn injuries.
Shinde had sustained 70 per cent burns during the scuffle with Sonawane at Panewadi in Manmad, and was admitted to a hospital in Malegaon and later shifted to JJ Hospital in Mumbai.
“His condition was critical since the day he was admitted. He was on oxygen support and was being treated for burns,” said JJ Hospital dean T.P. Lahane.
A case of murder was registered against Shinde and 10 of his alleged accomplices for the murder.
The police had tried to record Shinde’s statement but could not do so as his condition was critical and he could not speak. “He sustained severe burns and developed respiratory problems since Monday morning after which he was kept on a ventilator. His condition deteriorated and he died at 1.10 pm. We have sent the body for post-mortem after which it will be handed over to the police,” he added.
Shinde was an alleged member of the oil mafia, and had three cases registered against him under the Essential Commodities Act before Sonawane’s murder. He was externed in 2006 and carried out the racket with his sons with help of tanker drivers.
Shinde was accused for pouring kerosene on Sonawane and burning him alive on January 25 at Manmad.
Sonawane was returning from Chandwad in Nashik when he spotted a truck parked at Sagar Dhaba in the Panewadi area, and found people in the process of pilfering kerosene.
Sonawane stepped out of his car and interrupted the people after which they engaged in a scuffle with him. At this time, sensing trouble, Sonawane’s personal assistant and driver fled from the spot. Sonawane was burnt alive and died on the spot due to severe burn injuries. Shinde was an alleged black marketer working in the vicinity of the Panewadi area that is notorious for its oil mafia. Hundreds of tankers get filled everyday at the Panewadi plant, which supplies petroleum products to around 12 districts in Maharashtra. Popat befriended tanker drivers who carried petroleum products. After loading the oil from the depot, Popat and his accomplices used to remove a few litres from it for selling. The entire process was done behind a roadside dhaba.
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