CBI begins probe into Sonawane's killing

Initiating its probe into the killing of Malegaon additional collector Yashwant Sonawane by the oil mafia, a seven-member team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), on Friday, surveyed the spot in Manmad, Nashik where Sonawane was allegedly burnt alive.

Initiating its probe into the killing of Malegaon additional collector Yashwant Sonawane by the oil mafia, a seven-member team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), on Friday, surveyed the spot in Manmad, Nashik where Sonawane was allegedly burnt alive.

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Taking the demand by Sonawane's family into account, the state government had requested the CBI to carry out an investigation into the case. The CBI had recently registered a case against 11 persons suspected to be involved in the incident.

On January 25, Sonawane had gone to Chandwad near Nashik. On the way back, as Sonawane headed towards Nandgaon, he received information that adulteration was being carried out near Panewadi village. On reaching the spot, he saw a person stealing kerosene from a tanker parked near Sagar Dhaba. Sonawane, then, called the local supply inspector and asked him to come to Panewadi.

While Sonawane waited for the inspector near his car, four persons including Popat Shinde reportedly assaulted him. Later, the men allegedly poured kerosene on Sonawane and set him ablaze, resulting in his death.