BJP demands CBI probe into Nashik collector's murder by oil mafia

The BJP today expressed shock over the immolation of an additional district collector near Nashik allegedly by the oil mafia and demanded a CBI probe to unearth the "nexus of the cartel with bureaucrats and politicians".

"This is a dastardly act. It is shocking and we condemn it. Oil mafias have dared to do such a thing due to patronage they enjoy from ruling politicians and bureaucrats," BJP spokeperson Prakash Javadekar said.

Additional DC Yashwant Sonawane was burnt alive allegedly by member of the oil mafia when his team conducted a raid  at a roadside eatery near Manmad town, about 260 KM from Mumbai yesterday.

He demanded a CBI inquiry into the incident and said the racket ran into thousands of crores of rupees and could not thrive without the patronage of powerful people.

"It is time the Centre introduce a coupon system in kerosene distribution or else the mafia will rule the business," Javadekar said.

He said government provided kerosene at Rs10 to the poor but much of it was siphoned off by the mafia and sold at Rs 40 after adulterating it.