CBI clears 2 of oil pilferer’s kin in Manmad burning

Addl Collector Sonawane Faced Several Allegations Of Bribery, Says Chargesheet

Santosh Sonawane & Mateen Hafeez | TNN

The CBI has exonerated two members of the family of prime accused Popat Shinde in the chargesheet the agency has filed for the January 25 murder of Malegaon additional collector Yeshwant Sonawane. The agency has also alleged that Sonawane was involved in bribery and extortion and had an arrangement with oil pilferer Popat.

Sonawane was murdered by the oil mafia because his relationship with Popat had deteriorated, says the CBI. While the police had accused 11 people in its FIR for the sensational murder, two of them, Shinde’s son Vikas and brother-in-law Deepak Borse, have been cleared by the CBI, which recently filed chargesheets in the Manmad magistrate’s court and Nashik juvenile court.

While the Manmad police’s earlier FIR said that Sonawane was killed by the oil mafia after he detected pilferers robbing fuel outside a dhaba, the CBI chargesheet says Sonawane had called Shinde to the dhaba. Shinde said he was busy with rituals following a death in the family, but Sonawane insisted. Shinde then went to the dhaba with his son and two others and killed Sonawane. The CBI alleges that Shinde committed the crime in a fit of rage and due to past enmity.

TOI reported on January 28 that Popat had told the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) that he was being harassed for bribes and that the arrested men told police that Sonawane’s aides were taking bribes.

The CBI says that a tanker belonging to Popat was seized on May 10, 2010 for violating the Essential Commodities Act. The matter had been pending with Sonawane. Popat on August 27, 2010 complained to the ACB, Nashik, that Sonawane demanded a bribe of Rs 1 lakh to release the tanker. The amount was brought down to Rs 75,000. The ACB tried thrice on August 30 and 31 to nab Sonawane red-handed with the money, but failed.

The police had initially arrested 11 people, but Popat, who was also burnt in the incident, died on January 31 in JJ Hospital, Mumbai. Of the remaining 10, the CBI has charged seven — Rajendra Shirsat, Machhindra Suradkar and Ajay Sonawane for murder, and Haqqani Khan Rabbani, Imran Khan and Tausif Altaf Shaikh for rioting, criminal conspiracy and black marketing. The seventh person is Popat’s minor son Kunal, 17, who faces murder, rioting and black marketing charges in the juvenile court. Along with Vikas and Borse, Sitaram Bhalerao is not named in the CBI chargesheet.

Meanwhile, Yeshwant’s elder brother, Sham Sonawane, who is with the Nashik rural police, said the family is not interested in following the case. “Ever since the incident, neither my wife nor my sister-in-law are keeping well. Thus we have decided to not watch TV or read the papers,” said Sham.

“People keep enquiring, which only adds to the stress. I too try to remain out of it. Popat Shinde and Yeshwant may or may not have been acquainted. The investigations may go in any direction. No one knows what transpired between the two as both are no more,” he said.

After the initial Rs 25 lakh received as compensation from the state, the Sonawanes said they got nothing, including Yeshwant’s salary and pension. Sham said, “We are paying installments for the flat from the interest got from the Rs 25 lakh we deposited.”

BURNT ALIVE
JAN 25: Additional collector (Malegaon) Yeshwant Sonawane is burnt alive by the oil mafia in Panewadi, Manmad city, Nashik district. Police register an FIR in which Sonawane’s PA Raju Kale and driver Kailash Gawli are the main complainants
JAN 25-26: 11 are arrested for murder. Black marketing charges are later added
JAN 27 TO 31: Reports emerge that prime accused Popat Shinde’s relatives and the arrested men tell police that Sonawane and his aides were collecting bribes
JAN 31: Popat, who was also burnt in the melee, dies at JJ Hospital, Mumbai. 10 accused remain FEB 2: Home minister R R Patil says the CBI will be asked to begin a probe
FEB 11: The Manmad police invoke the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in the case
APR 8: Jagan Pimple, Rajesh Batolia and Dheeraj Yewale, who have been added as accused by the police for black marketing, move the Bombay high court seeking quashing of the FIR against them and challenging the application of MCOCA
OCT 11: CBI files chargesheet accusing only four initially named by police of murder. Three are named for rioting and blackmarketing and three have been let off

ACCUSED BY POLICE FOR MURDER & BLACK MARKETING:
Popat Shinde (prime accused); Kunal, 17 (Popat’s minor son); Vikas, 19 (Popat’s son); Ajay Sonawane, 25; Imran Khan, 25; Haqqani Khan Rabbani, 49; Deepak Borse, 32 (Popat’s son-in-law); Raju Shirsat (Popat’s employee); Machhindra Suradkar; Sitaram Bhalerao; Tausif Altaf Sheikh

FOR BLACK MARKETING:
Jagan Pimple, Rajesh Batalia, Dheeraj Yewale

CHARGED BY CBI FOR MURDER: Rajendra Shirsat, Machhindra Suradkar, Ajay Sonawane, Kunal Shinde*
FOR RIOTING, CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY & BLACK MARKETING: Haqqani Khan Rabbani, Imran Khan, Tausif Altaf Sheikh, Kunal Shinde*
FOR BLACK MARKETING: Jagan Pimple, Rajesh Batolia, Dheeraj Yewale * Kunal is charged in the juvenile court
NOT NAMED BY CBI
Deepak Borse, Vikas Shinde, Sitaram Bhalerao

Yeshwant Sonawane


The Times of India, October 13, 2011

Nine accused get bail, out of jail

Members of the Manmad oil mafia, who burnt alive Nashik additional collector Yeshwant Sonawane, have walked out of Nashik jail as the CBI failed to file the chargesheet on time

MANMAD MURDER

Mateen Hafeez TNN

Mumbai: Nine suspects belonging to the oil mafia in Manmad, who were accused of setting Nashik additional collector Yeshwant Sonawane on fire, were granted bail by a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court in Nashik. The bail was granted after the CBI failed to file a chargesheet within the stipulated time. All the accused are out of the Nasik jail.

Another accused, Kunal Shinde (17), was granted bail by the juvenile court on March 23. Ajay Misar, special public prosecutor, said, “The case was transferred from the local police to the CBI. The agency could not file the chargesheet as it was exploring all the angles. The CBI sought an extension for filing the chargesheet, which was granted. Later, the agency again sought extension for a month but the court turned down its plea.”

The Manmad police, which had registered a case of murder and oil pilfering had earlier said eight of the 11 accused booked were not present at the spot when the incident took place. Sonawane was burnt alive on January 25 at Paanewadi near Manmad after being set on fire by prime accused Popat Shinde. Shinde, who also suffered burn injuries, died on January 31.

The Times of India, June 23, 2011

Accused in Sonawane murder case gets bail

Kunal Shinde (17) who is accused of setting Malegaon additional collector Yeshwant Sonawane on fire was granted bail by the court on March 23, 2011.


The Times of India, March 25, 2011

Kin of Sonawane’s ‘killers’ to go on fast

CLAIM THE ACCUSED WERE NOT AT MURDER SITE

Mateen Hafeez TNN

Mumbai: Families of the 10 suspects arrested for setting the deceased Malegaon additional collector, Yeshwant Sonawane, on fire will go on hunger strike from Monday morning at Ambedkar chowk in Manmad.

The families have demanded the release of the suspects claiming that eight of the 11 booked for Sonawane’s murder were not present when the incident took place. However, the police has booked all of them for murder.

“The families of these suspects will be going on hunger strike. We all will sit at Amedkar chowk and not eat or drink anything till we are given an written assurance of an impartial CBI inquiry,” said Sagar, son of deceased accused Popat Shinde. Sonawane was allegedly set on fire by Popat at Panewadi area near Manmad. He died on the spot while Popat, who also suffered burn injuries, died on January 31 at JJ Hospital.

The police had earlier booked the accused under the Essential Commodities Act as well as for murder under the IPC. On February 11, the police invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act against the accused. “We have no faith in the police inquiry Deputy superintendent of Manmad police, Samadhan Pawar’s investigation is biased,” said Sagar.


The Times of India, February 28, 2011

‘8 accused were not present at spot where Sonawane was burnt’

Mateen Hafeez TNN

Manmad: Eight of the 11 accused booked for burning Malegaon additional collector, Yeshwant Sonawane, were not present at the spot when the incident took place. However, the police
booked all of them for murder, officials from Manmad told TOI .

Sonawane was set on fire by prime accused Popat Shinde at Panewadi area near Manmad on January 25. Sonawane died on the spot while Shinde, who also suffered burn injuries, died on January 31 at J J Hospital. The police had earlier booked all the accused under the Essential Commodities Act as well as for murder under the Indian Penal Code. On February 11, the police invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the accused.

Inspector Rafique Shaikh, in charge of the Manmad police station, said, “When Shinde set Sonawane ablaze, his 17-year-old son Kunal and an employee Rajeev Shirsat were also present at the spot. The other accused were not at the scene of crime.” This statement is significant as the police have booked 11 persons for the murder. Shaikh said, “That day, a tanker driver Haqqani Khan (49) and his son Imran (20) had stopped at Sagar Dhaba (where the murder took place) while a truck driver, Tauseef Khan, had purchased pilfered kerosene from the dhaba. Soon after Sonawane arrived there and questioned them, the three fled.”
This statement corroborates the on given by Kunal.

The teenager, who is lodged at the Nashik juvenile remand home, told his family that when he and Shinde reached the spot on January 25 afternoon, Sonawane’s driver Kailash Gawli and PA Rajendera Kale were standing outside the dhaba while Sonawane was waiting for Shinde behind the eatery. “Shirsat was also there at the dhaba,” Kunal told his family members. He added that following an argument, Sonawane manhandled his father who then set Sonawane on fire.

Drive against oil mafia slackens
Tmafia he special is showing drive against signs of the oil slackening. While 2,842 raids/searches were carried out between January 28 and February 1; this reduced to 1,695 between February 2 and 5. Oil worth Rs 1.73 crore was seized in the first five days of the drive. From February 2 to 5, oil worth over just Rs 63 lakh was seized. The number of cases registered declined from 225 to 109. TNN


The Times of India, February 13, 2011

Sonawane murder: MCOCA invoked against accused

Mateen Hafeez TNN

Manmad: The Manmad police on Friday invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against 10 suspects arrested for burning Malegaon additional collector Yeshwant Sonawane alive.

The accused, including a 17-year-old teenager, were arrested between January 25 and 26 and were booked for murder.


The Times of India, February 12, 2011

Dad set Sonawane on fire: Son of accused

Mateen Hafeez TNN

Nashik: Kunal, son of deceased oil mafia kingpin Popat Shinde, on Wednesday told his family that his father and Malegaon additional collector Yeshwant Sonawane had a major argument on January 25. It was after this that Shinde poured kerosene on Sonawane and set him ablaze.

Kunal (17), who too is accused of setting Sonawane on fire, has been booked for murder, along with 10 others, and has been sent to a juvenile remand home in Nashik.

Initially, it was reported that Shinde first set himself on fire and Sonawane got burnt trying to douse the flames.

Kunal’s statement plays a major role in the case. He told his sister that his father received a call from their employee Rajeev Shirsat, who asked Shinde to meet him at Sagar Dhaba as Sonawane had gone there. “I would go everywhere with papa (Shinde). So, on that day too, I accompanied him. We had kept Rs 50,000 ready to offer Sonawane as bribe.

“Sonawane initiated an argument with papa, which eventually led to an abusive exchange. When papa humiliated Sonawane, he slapped him. Angry, papa kicked Sonawane, who fell on the floor. He again kicked Sonawane—on the chest—and poured kerosene on him. Within a couple of seconds, even before Sonawane could get up, Papa set him on fire. Papa also sustained injures,” Kunal told his family members.


The Times of India, February 10, 2011

‘Sonawane had provoked my dad to end life’

Mateen Hafeez TNN

Manmad: Sagar, slain oil mafia kingpin Popat Shinde’s son, on Tuesday alleged that the deceased Malegaon additional collector, Yeshwant Sonawane, had provoked his father to commit suicide. Sagar said he would file a police complaint against Sonawane, his personal assistant and driver for abetment of suicide. Shinde’s children demanded that Sonawane’s driver and personal assistant be subjected to forensic tests.

Sagar spoke to TOI after the 10 accused in Sonawane’s murder, including his younger brother, were produced before magistrate M M Thackeray’s court in Manmad on Tuesday afternoon. The court sent all the accused to judicial custody till February 21. Those arrested for burning Sonawane alive include Sagar’s brothers Vikas (19), Kunal (17), brother in-law Deepak Borse, uncle Sitaram Bhalerao, family friend Rajeev Shirsat, associates Ajay Sonawane, Haqqani Khan, Imran Khan, Tauseef Sahikh etc.

“I met my youngest brother, Kunal, at Nashik’s juvenile remand home on Saturday. He told me something very startling. According to him, Sonawane, his PA Rajendra Kale and driver Kailash Gawli had been torturing my father to pay them Rs 2 lakh. My mother had passed way 10 days before this incident. Frustrated with the demand of money by a senior official, my father poured kerosene over himself and set himself on fire. Sonawane tried to douse the fire but got caught in it as well,” said Sagar, an under graduate drop-out from Bhonsala Military College in Nashik. When asked about the police report which mentions that Kunal had hit Sonawane with an iron rod and then set him afire, Sagar said, “My brother did not say anything about hitting Sonawane. He said Sonawane was arguing with my father for 15-20 minutes over the Rs 2 lakh payment.” Sagar said Kunal has not been informed about their father’s death yet.

“My father had been regularly paying Sonawane but he kept insisting on increasing his hafta,” said Shinde’s daughter, Jaya, whose husband Borse is also arrested in this case. Sagar and Jaya demanded that Kale and Gawli be subjected to narco analysis, brain mapping and polygraph tests. “The truth will be revealed after the tests,” said Sagar. The duo stated they will file an abetment of suicide case under section 306 of the IPC with the Manmad police.


Tanker drivers threaten strike
Manmad: Alleging police atrocities after the killing of Malegaon official Yeshwant Sonawane, around 4,000 oil tanker drivers have threatened to go on strike. Officials of the petrol, diesel, kerosene and LPG vehicle association in Manmad have stated that after Sonawane’s death, the police has come down hard on all tanker drivers and cleaners. “After Sonawane was killed at a dhaba while busting an oil pilfering racket, the police ordered all dhaba owners to stop serving food to drivers,” said Aqueel Shaikh, president of the drivers and cleaners’ association in Manmad. The tanker drivers further demanded that their monthly salaries be raised from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000. TNN


The Times of India, Ferbuary 9, 2011

Sonawane killers unlikely to face MCOCA: Experts

Yeshwant Sonawane (right) was burnt alive at Panewadi near Manmad on January 25 allegedly by Popat Shinde (left)

Mateen Hafeez TNN

Mumbai: Following the daylight murder of Malegaon additional collector Yeshwant Sonawane, who was set ablaze by the oil mafia, some ministers had demanded that the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) be invoked against those responsible for the official’s death. However, legal experts and a section of senior police officers, said that the application of the stringent law won’t be possible as the prime suspect in the case, Popat Shinde, is dead.

Sonawane was burnt alive at Panewadi near Manmad on January 25. At the time of incident, the police FIR said that Sonwane had spotted oil being pilfered from a tanker and warned the suspect who set him on fire. On the other hand, residents of the area and Shinde’s family have alleged that Sonawane had gone there to collect hafta. Shinde, who had suffered burn injuries while setting Sonawane on fire, died on January 31.

“Some politicians want MCOCA to be invoked against the suspects. But Shinde, who was facing more than seven cases under the Essential Commodities Act (ECA), is no more. Moreover, there are not more than two offences for which any of the 10 accused have been charged,” said a senior police official.

To invoke MCOCA, there should be at least two previous charge sheets against an accused in criminal cases. However, there is not a single suspect, other than Shinde, who had been charge sheeted twice.

“At the most, the 10 suspects can be booked under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act and externed,” said another officer.
Shinde, dubbed an oil mafia kingpin, was first booked under the ECA in 2001. In 2003, he was booked under the ECA thrice. In 2006, he was externed due to his illegal activities.

The Times of India, February 8, 2011

Popat Shinde’s kids demand CBI probe

IMMOLATION THREAT

Mateen Hafeez TNN

Manmad: The children of oil mafia kingpin, Popat Shinde, said on Tuesday that they would set themselves on fire in front of revenue department officials if a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry was not ordered into his death.

Sagar (24) and Jaya (20) issued the threat after they claimed Shinde’s body in Manmad. Shinde had died at JJ Hospital in Mumbai on Monday after battling for life for six days. On January 25, Shinde had allegedly set Malegaon additional collector, Yeshwant Sonawane, on fire after an argument over oil pilferage. Shinde too suffered burn injuries in the incident.

“I had gone to JJ to take care of my father on January 26, but the police did not allow me to meet him. My father was alone, nobody was allowed to take care of him,” said Sagar, the eldest son.

Shinde had allegedly been into oil-pilfering for over 15 years. “It's true that my father had been in the oil business for over a decade. But, my father’s business was being supported by Sonawane and several officers who were paid on a monthly basis,” alleged Jaya, whose huband Deepak Borse has also been arrested in the case.

Jaya said Sonawane would take Rs 50,000 a month from her father to allow him to run his business. “Sonawane had visited us on March 29, 2003, when my father organized a house-warming ceremony. That day, he was with my father and had even gifted us a trolley,” said Jaya.

She said, “My father received a call from the phone of another accused, Rajeev Shirsat, as Sonawane had told him to make the call. Sonawane told my father to come to Panewadi. My father pleaded that he was at a puja, on the 10th day of my mother’s death, but Sonawane refused to listen. He had been insisting my father go to the spot so that he could collect his hafta.”

Jaya and Sagar showed this correspondent a ransacked cupboard inside their bungalow on Tuesday. “My father had connections with senior politicians and leaders in the state. Photos of him with them and a list of officials who got hafta and how much they were paid, are missing. The police are trying to hide the truth,” said Sagar.

Shinde’s body arrived in Manmad in an ambulance at around 5.15 pm but the family initially refused to claim it. It took 45 minutes for Shinde’s childhood friend, Devendra Arsule, to convince Sagar and Jaya to claim the body. More than 2,000 people, including some from neighboring villages, attended the funeral in Manmad.

Shinde’s son Vikas, sonin-law Borse, brother-in-law Sitaram Bhaleraon and employee Shirsat, all arrested for Sonawane's murder, were taken amid heavy police bandobast for the funeral, but the youngest son, Kunal (17), also an accused and lodged in the Nashik juvenile remand home, was not.


The Times of India, February 2, 2011

Govt to hand collector killing probe to CBI

Popat Shinde

Mateen Hafeez TNN

Manmad: The state government has decided to hand over the probe into Malegaon additional collector Yeshwant Sonawane’s killing to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Police added prime accused Popat Shinde’s death won’t affect the probe and the chargesheet will be filed on time.

Senior police officials said the state government is convinced about handing the case to the CBI. “An official announcement about the CBI probe is likely to be made on Tuesday,” said an official.

To make the case watertight, the police plan to record the statement of prime witness Rajendra Kale alias Raju, Sonawane’s personal assistant, before a magistrate. This will make it admissible in a court of law as evidence. “He has seen the crime being taking place and hence s a star witness,” said an investigating officer. The complainant in the case is Kailash Gawli, Sonawane’s driver.

Shinde and his two sons, Kunal (17) and Vikas (19), and son in-law, Deepak Borse had attacked Sonawane on January 25 after an argument over oil pilfering at Manmad. Kunal attacked Sonawane with an iron rod and Shinde allegedly poured a can of kerosene on him and set him afire. However Sonawane held on to Shinde, setting him ablaze too. Gawli and Kale fled the scene. While Sonawane succumbed on the spot, Shinde was rushed to hospitals in Manmad, Malegaon, Nashik and finally admitted to Mumbai’s JJ Hospital with over 75% burns where he died at 1.10 pm on Monday.

Investigators said his death won’t affect the case. “Though the prime suspect is dead, our case still stands strong. Shinde’s role and death will be mentioned in the chargesheet. We have arrested 10 more people and recorded their statements. They will be tried for the crime,” said Chandrashekhar Chawgule, additional superintendent of police, Nashik (rural).

Kunal was produced before a juvenile justice court on Monday where he was remanded to further custody for three days. “It was Kunal who had hit Sonawane with an iron rod causing the latter to fall on the floor. Our officers visited the Nashik juvenile remand home and produced Kunal before the juvenile court,” said the officer. “Kunal’s role is very clear in the case as other accused have also mentioned his role,” the officer said.

Police have sent Sonawane’s mobile phone for a forensic test. “The preliminary report has confirmed that the substance used to burn Sonawane was kerosene,” said the officer.

Pilferage on: Azmi
Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi on Monday claimed oil adulteration was on at Mandala near Mankhurd. At a meeting of the suburban District Planning Committee at Chetna college, Bandra, Azmi alleged no action was being taken despite complaints, including those filed by him. “The illegal business is carried out in the open,” Azmi said and produced photos. —Sandeep Ashar | TNN

DEATH OF A ‘KILLER’

Six Days After Burning Alive Addl Collector Yeshwant Sonawane In Manmad, Popat Shinde Succumbs To Burns In Mumbai

Malathy Iyer TNN

Popat Shinde, the main accused in the murder of additional district collector Yeshwant Sonawane, died of complications arising from his burn injuries at the state-run JJ Hospital in Byculla on Monday.

Shinde reportedly set Sonawane on fire during a raid
in Manmad on January 25 to check pilferage of oil. The additional collector clung to Shinde, resulting in him sustaining over 70% burns as well as severe burns in his lungs. Shinde was shifted to JJ Hospital from Manmad five days back on January 26.

“Popat Shinde died around 1.10 pm of over 70% burns,’’ said Dr T P Lahane, dean of JJ Group of Hospitals. The body was taken for post-mortem late in the evening. “The postmortem has said that the immediate cause of death has been listed of cardio-respiratory arrest. But he had septic shock that is usual in patients with such high degree of burns,’’ said Dr Lahane. His body was handed over to the Nashik Police after the postmortem. “However, after the handing over, the police asked us to keep the body in the cold storage,’’ Lahane added.

Earlier in the day, Shinde was put on ventilator because of breathing difficulties. Doctors said he was to be taken in for a procedure to remove dead skin over the burns. “As he started showing symptoms of respiratory distress, we could not go ahead with the procedure,’’ said a doctor. Dr Lahane said Shinde passed away a few hours after he was put on ventilator support. He was not in a state to give any statement to the police, said Lahane. “As he had respiratory burns, he was critical when he was brought to us five days back. His condition progressively deteriorated due to septic infection,’’ he said.
Chandrashekhar Oak, collector of Mumbai city, said his office has not been officially informed about the death and the panchnama.
(With inputs from Clara Lewis)

Why Shinde Died
Shinde sustained severe burns due to inhalation of fumes, affecting his lungs He had 70% burns across his body, many superficial and some very deep The post-mortem initial report puts the cause of death as cardio-respiratory failure On Monday he suffered septic shock, in which body tissues and organs don’t get enough blood, oxygen and start dying

Policemen at the JJ Hospital post-mortem centre; (top) Shinde ablaze

The Times of India, February 1, 2011

Kin informed six hours later

Shinde’s son

Mateen Hafeez TNN

Manmad: Kunal and Vikas, the teenaged children of Popat Shinde, were informed of their father’s death at JJ Hospital, six hours after he succumbed to his burns. Shinde was the prime accused in the killing of Malegaon additional collector Yeshwant Sonawane.

Kunal (17) and Vikas (19) were also arrested along with their brother-in-law Deepak Borse (32) for killing Sonawane.

Kunal is in a juvenile remand home in Nashik while Vikas and Borse are in the Manmad police station lock-up.

Shinde, who had sustained more than 70% burn injuries on January 25, while allegedly trying to set Sonawane on fire, died at 1.10 pm on Monday.

“We sent an officer to the Nashik juvenile remand home to inform Kunal about his father’s death. He just kept thinking something and looked at the officer. Kunal then asked whether his father’s body will be brought from Mumbai to Manmad,” an officer from the Manmad police station said. Shinde live in Manmad along with his family.

Policemen say they informed Vikas and Borse about Shinde’s death at the lock up. “

Vikas inquired as to when his father died, whether he was under observation properly and what will be done with his body,” the officer added. He said Vikas then retreated to a corner, tears in his eyes.

Police said Shinde’s daughter who is married to Borse and stays in Mumbai, will probably claim the body. She had been visiting her father when he was in hospital.

Shinde did not have any siblings and lost his wife recently.
“It seems the final rites will be performed in Mumbai only. If Shinde’s arrested sons want to join the funeral, they will be escorted to the cremation grounds,” the officer said.

Patil rethink on home secy powers

Prafulla Marpakwar TNN

Mumbai: Embarrassed by criticism of his department over key oil mafia player Popat Shinde, home minister R R Patil has proposed to revoke the home secretary’s powers to hear appeals against externment orders passed by the subdivisional officer (SDO), superintendent of police (SP) or deputy commissioner of police (DCP).

“The home department is at the receiving end over the externment orders passed by the SDO, SP or DCP as most of these are set aside by the home secretary for being passed without application of mind and in blatant violation of the apex court and high court guidelines. It’s high time we amend the Police Act and revoke the quasi-judicial powers of the home secretary,” Patil told TOI on Monday.

Patil came in for severe criticism over the manner in which the order to extern Shinde, who died on Monday, was modified to reduce his externment period from a year to six months. “Prima facie, it appears the externment order was not in accordance with guidelines prescribed by the high court, so the externment was reduced from one year to six months by the home department. I feel the competent court should take a decision on such orders,” Patil said.

In Shinde’s case, externment proceedings were found to be initiated well over two years after the offence, which was committed by him on December 23, 2003. Moreover, while the externment notice was served on him, the local police did not file a chargesheet against him before the court. Secondly, the cause notice served on Shinde did not mention the place, time and date of the crime for which he was being externed. So when Shinde filed an appeal before the thenhome secretary Chandra Iyengar, she had to reduce the externment period from one year to six months for technical reasons and the casual approach of the externing authority. “I have asked for all records pertaining to the criminal activities of Shinde and the externment proceedings. We will take stern action against the erring police officials for non-application of mind while passing the externment order,” Patil said.

The Times of India, February 1, 2011

‘Sonawane drove Popat to murder’

DEBT LINE: The bungalow Popat Shinde built in Manmad with the help of loans from a few sources, including a bank

Mateen Hafeez and Prafulla Marpakwar TNN

Mumbai: The arrested family members of Popat Shinde, the prime accused in the murder of additional collector Yeshwant Sonawane, have alleged that the official had been constantly harassing Popat for hafta, which was why the oil pilferer finally got frustrated and killed Sonawane. Popat’s son Vikas Shinde, 19, and son-in-law Deepak Borse have told the police that Popat was under severe mental stress as he could not come up with the bribe money and his wife, who had recently died, had been ailing. Popat had also taken a huge loan for a house that he reportedly was thinking of selling.

Popat’s other son Kunal, 17, made similar statements to the police, but sensationally added that Popat, who is in hospital with 75% burns, burnt himself, while he (Kunal ) burnt Sonawane.

Manmad police said they are looking into the bribery claims. Home minister R R Patil said, “We are probing the entire case at a higher level.”

Lens on hafta claims in oil killing
Cops Probe Statements That Sonawane Was In Panewadi To Seek Bribe
Mumbai: Senior police officials said they have begun probing the contradictory statements made in the case involving the burning alive of additional collector (Nashik) Yeshwant Sonawane in Panewadi near Manmad on January 25. Those arrested for killing Sonawane have alleged to the police that Sonawane was in Panewadi to demand a bribe from Popat Shinde, the main accused in the murder case.

Earlier, the complainants in the FIR, Sonawane’s PA Raju Kale and driver Kailash Gawli had said that Sonawane was conducting a raid on oil pilferers when he was murdered by the oil mafia. Officials interrogating the 10 arrested men and Popat, who is in J J Hospital with 75% burns, have said that they have alleged that Sonawane was repeatedly demanding bribes from Popat.

Most notably, Popat’s son Kunal Shinde, 17, who has been arrested, has deviated from the replies of the others and told police that Popat burnt himself in frustration after Sonawane’s demands for hafta, which led to an angry Kunal hitting and burning Sonawane. After Kunal’s sensational statement before the Manmad police, officials said they may ask for permission to do narco-analysis, liedetector and brain-mapping tests on Kunal to establish the truth.

A senior police official said nothing had been established as yet. “What Kunal told the police appears to be the defence’s line. Since he was arrested two days after the death of Sonawane, his lawyers must have briefed him on what he should tell the police. We are probing all aspects,” he said.

Three of the 10 arrested men – Kunal, Vikas, 19, and Deepak Borse – are of Popat’s family. A Manmad police official clarified that the statements of the accused have not been finalized. “We have recorded statements from the 10 arrested men and Popat Shinde. But they are not complete versions. The interrogations are still ongoing,” said an officer involved in the probe.

Nashik superintendent of police Milind Bharambe said that since the case is sensitive and still under investigation, it is not appropriate to comment on Kunal’s statement. Home minister R R Patil said there is no need to take cognisance of statements made by the accused. “We are probing the entire case at a higher level. In my opinion, no importance should be attached to the statements made by the accused,” he said.

A senior official said, “Now Sonawane is dead, while Popat is in critical condition and unable to speak. Under such circumstances, it is difficult to establish the charges against the additional collector.”

The arrested men have alleged to the police that Sonawane had demanded Rs 3 lakh as a bribe from Popat. They claimed that Rs 2 lakh was paid in two installments of Rs 1 lakh each. Popat then asked for more time to pay the rest, but Sonawane’s men kept asking for the money, the accused have told the police. Popat’s elder son Vikas told police that Sonawane threatened to file cases of oil theft and adulteration if he wasn’t paid. Deepak Borse, Popat’s son-inlaw, has also reportedly told the police that his father-in-law faced constant demands for hafta.

Senior police officials in Manmad are shocked over the manner in which Sonawane was burnt. A veteran social worker said that both Sonawane and Popat were known to each other ever since Sonawane was posted in the area in 2003. In fact, the same year, when Popat purchased a house there, Sonawane was there for the house warming.

The rift between them reportedly grew after another oil gang stepped in to take over the business in the Nashik-Manmad-Dhule belt. The cold war between Sonawane and Popat reached its peak when Popat complained to the ACB, which attempted to trap the additional collector twice, on August 30 and 31. “After the traps failed, the district administration concentrated on Popat’s illegal activities,” said an official.

Vikas has told police that his mother, Jijabai, was suffering from several ailments. While her health deteriorated, their father was upset. He told police that his father sold a plot of land to pay for his mother’s hospital expenses. Borse and Vikas said that Popat was nearly bankrupt. He had taken a loan from business friends and a bank to construct a bungalow. Popat was thinking of selling the bungalow, Vikas is learnt to have told the police.

Popat has told the police that he burnt Sonawane himself, which deviates from Kunal’s version. However, the FIR filed by Kale and Gawli corroborates with Popat’s version. Sources said the version of the other accused also matches Popat’s and the FIR’s versions.

JIGSAW OF EVIDENCE
On January 25, additional collector Yeshwant Sonawane was burnt alive by members of the oil mafia at Panewadi near Manmad. Here are the varying versions of those who filed the First Information Report and those who have been arrested:

THE FIR
Filed by Sonawane’s personal assistant Raju Kale and driver Kailash
Gawli with the Manmad police

1.30 pm: Sonawane leaves Chandwad after controlling a protest by the Onion Exporters’ Association. Kale is also in the car driven by Gawli

2.00: The three are passing through Panewadi when Sonawane spots a tanker behind Sagar Dhaba, which is owned by Popat Shinde. Sonawane asks Gawli to take the car to the dhaba. Sonawane spots oil being pilfered and asks the culprits to stop. He captures the goings-on on the video camera of his mobile phone. He calls a government official to inform him of the pilferage

2.05: Popat’s employee Rajiv Shirsat calls Shinde to inform him about Sonawane’s arrival

2.20: Popat and his sons, Kunal, 17, and Vikas, 19, and son inlaw, Deepak Borse, arrive at the spot.

2.30: Popat and Sonawane engage in a heated argument that turns into a brawl. Kunal hits Sonawane with an iron rod. The other culprits beat up Kale and Gawli and ask them to leave. The duo escape in Sonawane’s official car. Popat pours kerosene from a container onto Sonawane and gets drenched in the process too. Popat sets Sonawane on fire and himself gets burnt. The culprits then rush Popat to a local hospital, leaving Sonawane struggling for his life

3.15: Manmad police, after receiving information, reach the spot to find Sonawane’s charred body

INTERROGATION OF THE ACCUSED
Police say they are investigating the following allegations that the accused, including Popat Shinde, Vikas Shinde, Deepak Borse and the others, have made during their interrogations. The statements of the accused have not yet been finalized Kunal Shinde, 17, is the only accused with a different version of how the incident ended

2.30 pm: Sonawane insists on his hafta, while Popat promises to pay later. A frustrated Popat pours kerosene on himself and burns himself. Kunal gets angry, hits Sonawane with a rod, pours kerosene on the additional collector and sets him on fire

2.35: Popat’s men rush him to a local hospital, leaving Sonawane behind 1 pm: Family members gather at Popat Shinde’s home in Manmad for rituals on the 10th day after the death of Popat’s wife, Jijabai

2.05: Popat receives a call from one of his employees about Sonawane’s arrival at Sagar Dhaba. An annoyed Popat leaves for Panewadi along with his sons and son in-law

2.20: Popat meets Sonawane and takes him aside to discuss something a few metres from the others. Sonawane demands hafta and the two get into an argument and start pushing each other around

2.30: An angry Kunal hits Sonawane with a rod, causing Sonawane to fall. Popat pours kerosene on Sonawane and some of it falls on himself. Popat sets Sonawane on fire and gets burnt himself

2.35: The men rush Popat to a local hospital, leaving Sonawane behind

Vikas Shinde

Deepak Borse

The times of India, January 31, 2011

Cops to re-create crime scene

File photo of Popat Shinde and wife Jijabai

‘Next 7 Days Crucial For Prime Accused’

Mateen Hafeez TNN

Mumbai: The Manmad police are planning to take all the 10 persons, who allegedly set additional collector Yeshwant Sonawane ablaze on January 25, to Panewadi to recreate the crime scene. Investigators said that this would help them to understand the role played by each of the accused.

On January 25, Sonawane spotted an oil tanker stationed behind Sagar Dhaba at Panewadi village near Manmad. He saw seven men pilfering oil and started questioning them. The suspects called up their mentor, Popat Shinde, who reached the spot with his two sons, Kunal (17) and Vikas. An argument ensued. Kunal attacked Sonawane with an iron rod. Later, Shinde poured a can of kerosene on Sonawane and set him afire. Sonawane’s personal assistant and driver were with him, but fled the spot.

A burning Sonawane wrapped his arms around Shinde. “Shinde sustained 75% burn injuries and is being treated at J J Hospital. Kunal has been sent to a juvenile remand home. The other accused have told us how the events had unfolded, but we want to establish the exact sequence. For this, we plan to recreate the crime scene to ascertain the role played by each of the accused,” said an investigating officer.

Meanwhile, Shinde’s condition is said to be stable. “The next eight days are crucial for him. Firts, it a question of his survival and then recovery,” said Dr Ashok Rathod, acting dean of J J Hospital.


The Times of India, January 30, 2011

Sagar Dhaba where additional collector Yeshwant Sonawane was burnt alive

Dhabas are hubs for pilferage, adulteration

Mateen Hafeez TNN

Manmad: The killing of Malegaon additional collector Yeshwant Sonawane near Manmad has exposed the ugly business of the oil mafia and its operations at dhabas along highways. Police sources said the dhabas are hubs for oil pilferage on the Nashik-Dhule stretch.

Sonawane was burnt alive by the oil mafia after he objected to pilferage on January 25. “Most policemen, revenue officials and bureaucrats know the dhabas are hubs for pilferage and adulteration. However, no one is willing to take action since the authorities are bribed for their inaction,” a senior police officer who is part of the Sonawane case probe said.

Dhabas at Nandgaon, Chandvad, Malegaon, Satana, Dhule, Erandole, Pachora and Igatpuri are the main centres for pilferage. “Everyone knows about the activities but no one is bothered to take action,” said a dhaba owner.

“Most families eat in restaurants but truck and bus drivers, along with cleaners, prefer dhabas, which have huge parking space. You can park for more than three hours, which is enough for the mafia to operate,” a source said. Some dhaba owners also get a “cut” (commission), he added.

“Dhabas are the most convenient places for pilferage. If someone stops an oil tanker on the highway for pilferage, there is a risk of being spotted by passersby. The oil mafia therefore prefers dhabas for such activities,” a source said.

“The dhabas have a lot of space in the front and at the back too. Several truck and tanker owners park at the back so that they cannot be spotted from the highway,’’ sources said. However, it is not certain if the dhaba owners know about the activities and ignore them.

After filling oil, when a tanker leaves a depot, a key is kept at the filling station and another is in the possession of the authorities at the receiving end. However, those who possess the keys are reportedly hand-in-glove with the oil mafia. “The mafia prepares duplicate keys to open containers. They also bring new seals, which are inside the container. Once a seal is broken to pilfer oil, a new one is put to avoid suspicion,” the sources said.

2 lakh litres seized in Kurla alone

S Ahmed Ali TNN

Mumbai: The city crime branch made at least six raids against the oil mafia in Mumbai over the past two days, with around 1,200 drums, containing 2 lakh litres of adulterated petrol, diesel, kerosene and furnace oil, seized in Kurla alone. The seizure was worth Rs 65 lakh. Though police have arrested Abdul Gaffar Hasan, 55, the kingpin of the oil mafia in the city, around a dozen others who worked under him are wanted. Sohrab Hussain and Aminbhai are among the major racketeers who have gone underground, said investigators.

The raids are part of the statewide drive against the oil mafia following the murder of additional collector Yeshwant Sonawane on Tuesday. Home minister R R Patil has come down heavily on the oil mafia and asked the police to crack down on it.

The crime branch raided Hasan’s godowns in Panama Compound at Chunnabhatti in Kurla and seized 800 drums of adulterated oil. On Friday morning, the crime branch made more raids in the same locality and seized 435 drums of adulterated oil from two godowns belonging to Sohrab and Aminbhai. “As the workers fled and locked the doors, we had no option but to officially break the locks,” said joint commissioner of police (crime) Himanshu Roy. Adulterated furnace oil, black oil, kerosene, diesel, caustic soda, artificial colours, carbon oil and empty drums have been seized.

Hasan has been booked under IPC Section 420 for cheating, the Essential Commodities Act and other laws. He will be produced in court on Saturday. Police have launched a manhunt for the others.

Meanwhile, the Vakola police also carried out raids. They raided a godown in Shastri Nagar in Kalina and seized 20,000 litres of adulterated oil belonging to one Sahebrao Shaikh.

The modus operandi was to collect oil from industrial waste or fuel thrown from vehicles and ships. “The mafia processed the adulterated oil and upgraded it. Depending on the availability of resources, the accused made either diesel, furnace oil or grease and sold it at cheap rates. Autos, taxis, cheap trucks and small entrepreneurs bought it. If such oil is used, it can cause major damage or freeze engines,” said Roy.

Patil has asked Roy to intensify the crackdown on the oil mafia in the city. Patil said, “When Roy told me that oil was brought in through shipping companies, I directed police to take stern action against customs officials, as without inside support smuggling is not possible,” the home minister said. “I have instructed the police to seal petrol pumps that indulge in buying and selling smuggled diesel or oil.”

On the Sonawane case, Patil said, “RPI leader Ramdas Athavale has demanded a CBI probe. But I think the case should be given to the CBI only if the Sonawane family wants it.”
-- With inputs from Sanjeev Shivadekar

Onus on DCPs, SPs
S tate home minister R R Patil has said that if any oil mafias are found active, then the concerned deputy commissioner of police in urban areas or superintendent of police in rural areas will be suspended. “The aim is to fix responsibility on a senior person,” he said. He also urged civilians to come forward and inform about any illegal or suspicious activity in their areas. “The name of the informer will not be disclosed. Also, the informer will be rewarded,” Patil said. Meanwhile, state chief secretary Ratnakar Gaikwad has assured “full” security to officials conducting raids. tnn

SLIPPERY BUSINESS: Police officials are seen during raids at illegal fuel depots in Vakola in the city on Friday

Shinde alleged bribe in bid to fix Sonawane

Prafulla Marpakwar TNN

Mumbai: Tuesday was not the first time that Popat Shinde, the main accused in the murder of additional collector (Nashik) Yeshwant Sonawane, had targeted the government official. Shinde had complained to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) five months ago that Sonawane was seeking a bribe from him. However, Shinde had to withdraw the complaint after two attempts to trap Sonawane failed.

Sonawane was burnt alive on Tuesday by the oil mafia in Panewadi, near Manmad. Shinde, who is in JJ Hospital with 75% burns, is the main accused in the case, while 10 others have also been arrested.

As additional collector based in Malegaon, Sonawane was in charge of the food and civil supplies wing of the Nashik region and a common target of the oil mafia in the Manmad-Dhule belt. A top bureaucrat said that Shinde’s tanker had been seized by the flying squad of the Nashik food and civil supplies department in May 2010 after it was determined that Shinde was involved in the theft of petrol, diesel and kerosene.

An offence under the Essential Commodities Act was registered against Shinde in Manmad. Under the act, all appeals are heard by the additional collector, in this case Sonawane.

Case closed for the ACB

After hearing Shinde’s plea for his tanker to be released, Sonawane said it would be possible only if he submitted a bank guarantee. “Sonawane’s observations were clear. If Shinde was keen on securing his tanker, he should have submitted a bank guarantee, which is a routine practice,” said the bureaucrat.

Shinde then approached the Nashik ACB in the last week of August 2010. He complained that Sonawane was harassing him and demanding a bribe for the release of the tanker. The ACB, along with witnesses, then tried to trap Sonawane twice. Officers visited Sonawane’s office on August 30, but he was not there. Another attempt was made the next day, but again the additional collector was not present in office. “ACB officials visited the additional collector’s office for verification on two occasions, but since he was not there no confirmation could be made on whether Shinde’s complaint was true or false,” said the bureaucrat.

Shinde went to the ACB on September 2 and submitted an application to unconditionally withdraw his complaint. “For the ACB, since Shinde withdrew his complaint, the case stands closed,” the bureaucrat said. A few days before Shinde submitted his application to withdraw his complaint, his tanker had been released in a routine matter after he completed the formalities prescribed by the food and civil supplies department, including getting the bank guarantee.

Yeshwant Sonawane

The Times of India, January 29, 2011

AIDES CALL IN SICK

TWISTS IN THE TALE: Yeshwant Sonawane’s weeping PA Raju Kale (face covered by white kerchief) and stunned driver Kailash Gawli (below hotel sign) in a room inside the Sagar dhaba after the killing on January 25

Following Allegations Of Bribery, Sonawane’s Driver And Personal Assistant Get Themselves Admitted To Hospital

Mateen Hafeez TNN

Manmad (Nashik): The aides of additional collector (Nashik) Yeshwant Sonawane, who was burnt alive in Panewadi on Tuesday, have proceeded on sick leave following allegations that they had been accepting bribes from the oil mafia.
The men arrested for Sonawane’s murder have reportedly told the police that Sonawane’s personal assistant (PA) Raju Kale and driver Kailash Gawli were each
accepting Rs 2,000 per month from the oil mafia.
Ten men have been arrested for burning alive Sonawane on Tuesday at Panewadi near Manmad. A 11^th man, the main accused, Popat Shinde, is in critical condition with 75% burns at J J Hospital, Mumbai.
Kale and Gawli are both complainants and the prime witnesses in the case. While Kale has been admitted to a Pune hospital, Gawli is under observation in a Malegaon hospital. “Kale complained of chest pain and severe depression, so we admitted him to hospital,” said a woman from Kale’s family. Gawli’s family members said that he has been shocked since the incident and has not been eating properly.
Kale’s and Gawli’s family members said on Friday that the two men would be standing by the statements they have given to the police. “They will not retract anything,” one person, who did not wish to be named, said. The two men have told the police that they were also beaten up by the suspects and had to run to save their lives. They drove Sonawane’s car to the Nandgaon tehsildar’s office and informed the police, who reached the spot in halfan-hour.
More than 20 litres
of kerosene were used
to burn Sonawane alive.
The fuel was pilfered just a day before the killing, the accused have revealed during the interrogation. All the accused belong to Manmad and neighbouring villages.
“During the interrogation, they said that the kerosene used to burn Sonawane was pilfered from a tanker a day before the incident. Such pilfered kerosene is sold at a cheaper price to eating houses and restaurants in and around Manmad,” said an officer involved in the investigation.
Sonawane was on his way from Chandwad taluka to Nandgaon when he spotted an oil tanker stationed behind Sagar Dhaba at Panewadi village near Manmad. Sonawane reached the spot along with Kale and Gawli. He saw men pilfering kerosene from the tanker. “When he questioned them, the men called the prime suspect, Popat Shinde, who reached the spot in 15 minutes. An argument turned into a nasty brawl. Shinde’s son, Kunal, 17, attacked Sonawane with an iron rod and, later, Shinde poured a can of kerosene on Sonawane and set him on fire,” said Rafeeque Shaikh, investigating officer at Manmad police station.
Shinde was involved in fuel pilferage for over 20 years. He built a bungalow on 2,000 sq ft 10 years ago at a cost of Rs 25 lakh. The bungalow is located in Shravasti Nagar near Manmad railway junction. He was busy with the 10th-day rituals for his wife’s death when he was told about Sonawane’s arrival. Shnde has been booked nine times under the Essential Commodities Act. In 2006, he was externed from Manmad. Sonawane had lodged two complaints against Shinde. His truck was seized and when it was to be released on a court order, Sonawane had signed the papers.
Meanwhile, doctors at J J Hospital in Mumbai have said that Popat Shinde remains in critical condition with 75% burns. They said there has been no major change in Shinde’s condition for the past 48 hours.

STATE STAFF STOP WORK

A deserted government office on Thursday

Yogesh Naik, Nitin Yeshwantrao & Pradeep Gupta TNN

Mumbai: Over 15 lakh state government employees stopped work and organized morchas on Thursday to protest against the killing of additional collector Yeshwant Sonawane.

At Mantralaya, nearly 90% staff stayed off work and ministerial staff also participated in demonstrations.

G D Kulthe, general secretary, Maharashtra state gazetted officers’ federation, said there was an overwhelming response to the agitation. In the Mumbai city collectorate, officials locked up the office and protested. Unions in some government corporations did not get an intimation and could not organize a bandh. At the Mhada office in Bandra, nearly 80% employees participated in a gate meeting.

“We have not announced the protest as a strike but we are shunning work to register our protest against this gruesome act which has shaken government employees,” said Maharashtra Gazetted Officers Mahasangh president Ravindra Dhongade.

“We have asked colleagues to shun work. We are organizing morchas and rallies to protest the killing. Our colleagues will meet the district collector and regional commissioners and submit a memorandum against the incident,” he said.

GOVT BEGINS CRACKDOWN

Sanjeev Shivadekar & Yogesh Naik TNN

Mumbai: The state government has begun a crackdown on the adulteration mafia in the state, following Yeshwant Sonawane’s murder.

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan called a meeting of officials at the state guesthouse Sahyadri on Wednesday and ordered the crackdown. On Thursday, chief secretary Ratnakar Gaikwad and director-general of police D Sivanandhan chalked out a strategy for action by the police and food and civil supplies department. The police arrested 163 people in the drive to unearth the oil mafia.

Food and civil supplies minister Anil Deshmukh parried questions on why the raids had begun only after Sonawane’s murder. He claimed action was being taken against adulteration and pilferage, and circulated figures of 2008, 2009 and 2010 on action against hoarders.

The government directed the police to see if the culprits can be booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA).

In some places, adulterators fled hideouts and government sources said the action was cosmetic.

R R Patil, state home minister, said that within 48 hours of the incident, the police had arrested all accused in the case. “Despite this, if Sonawane’s family is unhappy, the department is ready to hand over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation,” Patil said in reply to a demand from opposition parties.

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan announced a crackdown on the oil mafia on Wednesday

BJP claims DF minister is supporting the fuel racket

Ambarish Mishra TNN

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party combined is set to launch a frontal attack on the Congress-led Democratic Front (DF) government following the killing of additional collector Yeshwant Sonawane by the oil mafia in Manmad on Tuesday. Leader of the opposition and Maharashtra BJP leader Eknath Khadse on Thursday accused a senior DF minister of supporting the oil mafia in Nashik. “The mafia runs a multi-core adulteration racket without fear of the law. This cannot happen without the blessings of those in power,” Khadse told mediapersons.

BJP leader Vinod Tawde alleged on Thursday that the mafia has paid Rs 25 crore to a DF minister to make changes in a government resolution (GR) on furnace oil. The amendment made the mafia richer by several hundred crores, Tawde added. He said he would reveal the minister’s name if chief minister Prithviraj Chavan sought details. “The opposition will start a crusade against the oil and sand mafia in Maharashtra. If the government fails to take action, opposition legislators will take the law into their own hands to end the mafia rule in the oil sector,” Tawde said.

Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray described Sonawane’s killing as “brutal, shocking and unfortunate.” At the Mantralaya, minister for food and civil supplies Anil Deshmukh said the centre had issued an order delicensing furnance oil.


The Times of India, January 28, 2011

No one dares complain against mafia

IN THE NET: The main accused Popat Shinde is critical with 70% burns

Mateen Hafeez & Prafulla Marpakwar TNN

Manmad (Nashik): The killing of Malegaon additional collector, Yeshwant Sonawane, has once again brought the ugly face of the oil mafia to light. Manmad city, with a population of around 1.5 lakh, is a prime centre for fuel pilferage and adulteration in Maharashtra.

Each oil pilferage gang has 10-15 persons, who attend to a tanker, pilfer oil, make a new seal and take care of any “untoward incident”. Each member is paid Rs 6,000-10,000 a month. All the gangs are well armed, said a local councilor.

The gangs have links with distributors in Dhule, Malegaon, Ahmednagar, Pune and Indore. “The oil mafia bosses are on good terms with law-enforcement agencies here,” said a resident. Fifty to 75 litres of oil is pilfered from a tanker and sold in black. While the police take action against the rackets under various sections of the Essential Commodities Act, it has failed to deter the gangs. The prime accused in Tuesday’s incident, Popat Shinde, had been booked at least nine times.

Before Independence, a pipeline was set up from Mumbai to Manmad and oil would be distributed near Manmad railway station. Eight years ago, distribution was shifted to Panewadi village, 10 km away, due to congestion and road-widening work. “The mafia has been active in the region for over 20 years. However, since distribution shifted, the seven to eight gangs have got more active,” said a local resident.

“It was difficult for them. They would operate at night as the distribution centre was in the heart of the city. Since it has been shifted, the gangs have become more aggressive, trying to outshine each other,” said another resident.

Petrol and diesel distribution for big companies like Bharat Petroleum, Indian Oil and Hindustan Petroleum is done from Manmad. “The gang, armed with lathis, wait for the tankers outside the village and pilfer the oil in less than an hour,” said a local witness, but no one dares complain.


The Times of India, January 28, 2011

HE WOULD HAVE TURNED 52 TODAY

VISITED BY SUDDEN GRIEF: Yeshwant Sonawane’s elder brother Shyam lights an incense stick in front of a photo of the additional collector in Nashik

Suspects Held For Burning Additional Collector Yeshwant Sonawane Say Personal Assistant, Driver Were On The Take

Mateen Hafeez TNN

Malegaon additional collector Yeshwant Sonawane was preparing to celebrate his 52nd birthday on January 28. His family had planned a dinner at their Nashik residence, but the local oil mafia burnt him to death in Manmad on Tuesday.

The youngest among six brothers and sisters, Sonawane was allotted official accommodation in Malegaon, while his family stayed at Welcome Apartments, General A K Vaidya Nagar, in central Nashik.

Hepreferredtostayoutof thelimelightand was too shy to celebrate his birthday but his family thought it was a good occasion for a gettogether. “While our family is spread across Nashik district, it was a good occasion for all of us to meet,” a relative said.

One of his two sons, Kunal, is a Class XI student in Pune, while his siblings are in various partsof Nashik,Krishna,Sonawane’snephew said. Sonawane came from a very poor family; while studying, he would work part-time as a salesman to support his father.

“He was very ambitious and wanted to become a good administrator,” said another relative.

Sonawane’s wife, Vijaya, a homemaker, was unaware about her husband’s death until 6 pm on Tuesday, four hours after the incident.


The Times of India, January 28, 2011

Shinde faces many cases, was externed

Prime Accused Popat Shinde

Prafulla Marpakwar & Mateen Hafeez TNN

Mumbai: Popat Shinde, a habitual oil pilferer, was involved in several cases of theft of petrol, diesel and kerosene between 2001 and 2010. Shinde has been booked under the Essential Commodities Act. “Chargesheets have been filed in all the cases,” said a senior IPS official, who added that the police are awaiting verdicts.

In fact, an order was passed for Shinde’s externment for one year from Nashik district on July 21, 2006. However, he filed an appeal before the principal secretary (appeals and security) on January 9, 2007, and the externment period was reduced from one year to six months on the grounds that there had been an earlier delay in processing the externment proposal.

The IPS official said the externment proceedings were initiated in 2005, but the final order was passed in July 2006. “Certainly, there was a delay in initiating externment proceedings against him and passing the final order. As a result, merely because of the delay, the externment period was reduced from one year to six months. We feel that it is high time the home department ensures that externment proceedings in sensitive cases are disposed of in a time-bound period,'' he said.

The first case under the Essential Commodities Act was registered against Shinde in 2001. Later, cases were registered against him in 2003, 2009 and 2010. “In the first case filed in 2001, the chargesheet has been filed before the court and we are expecting a court order,” said the IPS official.

A tanker was once seized from Shinde, but it was returned a year later with the approval of Yeshwant Sonawane, the additional collector who was burnt.

Originally from Solapur, Shinde migrated to Manmad in the 1980s. He worked as a porter at the Manmad railway junction and later got involved in oil theft. He formed his own gang and operated in Manmad, Nandgaon and Dhule. His two sons, Kunal and Vikas, joined him, according to Chandrashekhar Chawgule, Malegaon additional superintendent of police. Some local residents said Shinde paid protection money to policemen and other officials.

There are unconfirmed reports that Shinde had connections with a former Maharashtra minister. A section of residents said Shinde had been paying hafta to policemen and other administrative officers, but he was often raided on the instructions of one of his rivals. “He was raided several times in recent years. He had almost gone bankrupt and was highly frustrated,” said a resident.

Popat Shinde ‘critical’
The police transferred Popat Shinde (45), the main accused in the burning to death of additional collector Yashwant Sonawane near Manmad, to JJ Hospital in Byculla on Wednesday morning.
Shinde who sustained 70% burns has deep and superficial burns, JJ doctors said. He was admitted to the high-tech burns ward at the state government hospital at 7 am. He is said to be in a critical state because he has respiratory burns. TNN


The Times of India, January, 28, 2011