Mumbai: Popat Shinde, prime accused in the murder of Additional District Collector Yashwant Sonawane, died here on Monday at a state-run hospital 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 JJ hospital told a news agency.
According to the FIR in the case, Shinde, helped by his son Kunal, and their aides--Balerao and Shirsat--, had allegedly poured kerosene on Sonawane and torched him on January 25 at Manmad in Nashik district after the Collector objected to oil pilferage.
Shinde had sustained 70 percent burns in the incident and had been rushed next day to JJ hospital, where he was undergoing treatment.
His condition deteriorated in the last couple of days and he had been kept under observation, doctors said.
Eleven persons, including Shinde, were arrested in connection with Sonawane`s murder.
Police had tried to record Shinde`s statement but could not do so as he could not speak.
PTI
