Prime accused critical

Popat Shinde, one of the 11 accused who allegedly torched additional district collector Yashwant Sonawane in Manmad on Tuesday, has developed septicemia in his burn wounds.

Popat Shinde, one of the 11 accused who allegedly torched additional district collector Yashwant Sonawane in Manmad on Tuesday, has developed septicemia in his burn wounds.

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Shinde, 45, who was brought to JJ Hospital on Wednesday morning from Nashik Civil Hospital, had suffered 70% burns when Sonawane held on to him after he was set on fire.

On Friday, doctors, who are treating Shinde under tight police security at the burns ward at JJ Hospital, said that his condition has worsened. “He was admitted to the hospital in critical condition with 70% burns. But now his medical condition has deteriorated further,” said a doctor from JJ hospital, requesting anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the media.

“He was gasping for breath due to burn injuries in his respiratory tract. His face is swollen. He has been murmuring in pain. We cannot understand the words that he is trying to speak because he is barely audible,” said the doctor. “Since his entire body, except his hands and feet, is burnt and exposed to air, he has developed septicemia.”

On Thursday, at least 300 staff at the hospital, including doctors, ward boys and nurses, held a protest against the Manmad incident. They reported to work wearing black arm bands.