Mumbai:
Popat Shinde, prime accused in the murder of Additional District Collector Yashwant Sonawane, died today at a state-run hospital in Mumbai while undergoing treatment for burn injuries.
"Shinde died this afternoon. After conducting postmortem, the body would be handed over to police investigating the murder case of Sonawane," P P Lahane, Dean at J J hospital said.
Shinde had sustained over 70 per cent burns in the incident after Sonawane reportedly grabbed Shinde during the attack. He had been rushed to J J hospital the next day, where he was undergoing treatment.
His condition deteriorated in the last couple of days and he had been kept under observation, doctors said. Police had tried to record Shinde's statement but could not do so as he could not speak.
According to the FIR in the case, Shinde, helped by his sons and their aides had allegedly poured kerosene on Sonawane and burnt him alive on January 25 at Manmad in Nashik district after he tried to take photographs of kerosene being stolen from an oil tanker.
Eleven persons, including Shinde, were arrested in connection with Sonawane's murder.
Sources say that Shinde had been working for the oil mafia for nearly 30 years.
Once a roadside snack seller, he befriended truck drivers who operate at the massive oil depots in Manmad. Shinde learnt the tricks of the oil pilferage trade and soon made enough money to own two oil tankers. (With PTI Inputs)