R K Patil consigned to flames

Nagpur, June 2 (UNI) The mortal remains of noted Gandhian R K Patil, who passed away yesterday, were consigned to flames amid State honours here today.

Draped in the national tricolour, Mr Patil's body was brought in a procession from his residence in Civil Lines area to Mokshadham crematorium by pallbearers drawn from the city police force.

Elder son Pradeep lit the funeral pyre as a squad from the city police sounded a 21-gun salute. Maharashtra Minister for Animal Husbandry Anees Ahmed laid a wreath at the pyre on behalf of the State government.

Among those who attended the funeral were Justice V S Sirpurkar of the Supreme Court, Justice Bhushan Dharmadhikari, Satyaranjan Dharmadhikari and Justice M S Deshpande of the High Court, Union Minister of State for Non-Conventional Energy Sources Vilas Muttemwar, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) B K Upadhyay, former Pondicherry Lieutenant governor Rajani Rai, Mayor Devrao Umredkar, municipal standing committee chairman Nana Shamkule, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sah-Sarkaryavaha (joint general secretary) Madandas Devi, noted social worker Dr Abhay Bang, former high court judge C S Dharmadhikari and former MP Banwarilal Purohit.

Justice Sirpurkar presided over a condolence meeting held later.

Mr Patil passed away here last afternoon due to old age. He was 99.

UNI