Nashik, Jan 26 (PTI): The last rites of Yashwant Sonawane, additional collector of Malegaon who was burnt to death by the persons involved in fuel adulteration near Manmad in Nashik district, were conducted here last night. 

Several government officials were present at the funeral. Meanwhile, Popat Shinde, the prime suspect who also suffered burn injuries in the incident, has been shifted to Nashik Civil Hospital.

According to the police, Sonawane (42) was returning from Chandrar village after reviewing the situation there in the wake of a demonstration by onion farmers, when he found some people adulterating kerosene in a tanker parked behind Sagar Dhaba at Panewadi.

Sonawane stopped and questioned them. He also called up police. Following this, Shinde and three others poured kerosene on the official, and set him afire. Sonawane died on the spot.

There are oil depots of Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum near Panewadi from where oil tankers fill up petrol, diesel or kerosene. Popat Shinde has two earlier cases in connection with fuel adulteration registered against him.