‘Popat Shinde's death won’t affect investigation’

The Manmad police investigating the murder of additional collector Yashwant Sonawane were hoping that main accused Popat Shinde would survive so that they could interrogate him.

His statement and questioning would have been crucial for further interrogation.

However, Shinde, who himself sustained several burn injuries when Sonawane was burnt to death, succumbed to his injuries on Monday. While the other accused remain in police custody, investigating officers were looking forward to recording Shinde’s statement, as he was the prime accused. Though the police tried to record his statement, they failed to do so as he could not speak, having sustained over 70% burns.

Shinde’s death has left the police disappointed, as he could have made huge revelations about the oil mafia after having worked for it for over 30 years. However, the legal propositions in the Sonawane murder case may remain unaffected, insist the police.

“It was an open-and-shut case from day one. Shinde would eventually have been convicted. His death should in no way hamper the investigations. It remains to be established if this was a case of criminal conspiracy and if the other accused were among the conspirators. All his death will do is strike off the name of one of the many accused in this matter,” said a senior public prosecutor, who requested anonymity citing the sensitive nature of the case.

Leading criminal lawyer Majid Memon said, “Since the prime accused himself has succumbed to burn injuries, his case abets. However, the case against the others and the investigation into the offence can make further headway. The death of the prime accused will not diminish the gravity of the case or the prospects of a successful investigation.”