‘No need for CBI probe into Sonawane killing’

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Tuesday said there is no need for a CBI inquiry into the killing of Malegaon Additional Collector Yashwant Sonawane by the oil mafia in Nagpur.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Tuesday said there is no need for a CBI inquiry into the killing of Malegaon Additional Collector Yashwant Sonawane by the oil mafia in Nagpur.

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Pawar, who was attending the inauguration of Krida Mahotsav 2011, a sports festival organised by the NCP MLA Sandeep Naik, son of state minister Ganesh Naik, said, “The incident is a blot on humanity. The chief minister and the Cabinet had taken this issue very seriously. We shall be discussing it at our Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.”

However, negating the demand for a CBI probe, Pawar said, “A CBI inquiry is needed only when there is a lack of information or the information is not complete. Since we have taken up this issue very seriously and the investigation is on track, there is no need for a CBI probe. We are trying to get more information in the case. If at a later stage, we feel the need for a CBI inquiry, then we shall take it up.”

Pawar highlighted his government’s agenda and said that strict orders have been issued to all officials to not buckle under political pressure.

He said, “The chief minister and I have made it clear to the officials that they should not bow before any political pressure, whether it is from the ruling party or the opposition. We shall not tolerate any such interference.”