Oil mafia burns alive Additional DC in Malegaon

“Preliminary reports say Sonawane had gone there to conduct a raid on petrol and diesel mafia. There some people,believed to be associated with the mafia,who set him on fire causing his death,” Additional Director General (Law & Order) K P Rahuvanshi said.

Another report said Sonawane had stopped at a roadside hotel on way to a certain place to oversee security arrangements for an event when he found people adulterating fuel.

Sonawane objected to it,leading to a scuffle during which he was set ablaze resulting in his death.

Nashik police said state revenue officials,headed by Sonawane had conducted raids at the oil depots at Manmad’s Panewadi town last night,which irked those allegedly adulterating oil.

Angered by this,they poured petrol and diesel on Sonawane and set him afire leading to his death,they added.

Meanwhile,Food and civil supplies minister Anil Deshmukh,who is on a visit to Satara district,said the government will unearth the adulteration racket and take action against those behind the gruesome killing.

Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat said the attack on an officer of his department was reprehensible. “We will not hesitate to apply provisions of MCOCA against the culprits,” he said.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said the government will not tolerate such incidents. “We will take prompt action to bring the guilty to justice,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar,who is on a visit to Satara district in western Maharashtra,said the incident was a blot on humanity. If anyone dares to commit such atrocity on an officer,he should be dealt with sternly,he said.

“When I took charge,I had asked police officers to take action to ensure people live in peace,” he said.

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Eknath Khadse said officers should get protection. They should get police protection while carrying out raids so that they can go about their job without fear,he said.

“We will take up the issue with the government and compel it to take necessary steps,” he said. The petrol mafia has tacit support of the government,he alleged.

PWD Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said he spoke to Nashik collector and SP and directed them to take prompt action to nab those behind the killing.