Sonawane murder: Nine accused sent in police custody

Nashik, Feb 14 (PTI) Nine of the 11 persons arrestedfor the murder of Additional District Collector YashwantSonawane and booked under the stringent MCOCA were todayremanded in police custody till February 17 by a court here.

They were produced before Assistant Sessions andDistrict Judge M S Jawalkar, who presided over the specialMCOCA Court, this evening.

The nine accused were booked under the MaharashtraControl of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) on Friday.

Sonawane was burnt alive by suspected members of theoil mafia near Manmad, north Maharashtra, on January 25.

Eleven persons were arrested for the murder. PopatShinde, the main accused, died of burn injuries and cardiacarrest at Mumbai''s J J Hospital on January 31. Shinde sufferedburn injuries when Sonawane held on him him after being setafire.

Shinde''s minor son, Kunal, was also arrested and sentto a remand home.

Those arrested and facing MCOCA charges are: RajendraShirsat, Machhindra alias Kachru Suradkar, Sitaram Bhalerao,Deepak Borse, Vikas alias Vicky Shinde, Tousif Shaikh, AjaySonawane, Kakim Khan Rajjani and Imran Khan.

Four other accused, including a Police Constable - whowere also booked under MCOCA - are absconding.