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

Bail hearing of Malegaon accused postponed

Mateen Hafeez TNN

Mumbai: A special court has adjourned till February 7 the hearing of the bail application of nine suspects arrested for the 2006 Malegaon serial bomb blasts.

The Muslim youths were arrested by the Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad (ATS) for conspiracy and planting four RDX bombs in the town on September 8, 2006. But the suspects have all along maintained that they had no role in the blasts and were wrongly framed in the case.

After Swami Aseemanand’s confessional statement that a Hindu right wing group was involved in the blasts, the nine suspects approached the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (Mcoca) court seeking bail. “Based on Aseemanand’s confessional statement, the suspects filed the bail plea. The court has asked us to furnish a certified copy of the confession on February 7,” said advocate Mubin Solkar, who is representing the accused.

“Aseemanand in his confession states how the blast conspiracy was hatched and executed.
“We relied on the confession and submitted a copy, which was available on the Internet. But the court asked us to furnish a certified copy of the confession.”

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a reply in the Mcoca court on Friday, saying that in view of Aseemanand’s confession, the bureau was furthering the investigation after obtaining permission from the court.

“The (nine) accused have not put forward any valid ground for consideration of their bail application and thus it deserves to be rejected,” the CBI said in its reply, adding that it needs more time to investigate the case.

Gulzar Azmi, secretary, legal cell, Jamiat-ul-Ulema, said the organisation was representing the nine accused in the case. “They have been wrongly implicated. We are hoping for speedy bail.”


The Times of India, January 29, 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