India’s Home Minister announces crackdown on fuel adulteration

India’s Home Minister R.R. Patil has announced an immediate crackdown on the fuel adulteration mafia across the country, expressing concern over the gruesome killing of an additional collector. Sources said Patil’s declaration has put the city cops on alert and have started studying earlier records to try and trace the fuel mafia in the city. Maharashtra police have reportedly raided many centers across the state and have arrested more than 20 persons involved in the racket. Patil said at a press conference that a detailed inquiry has been ordered in the Manmad case and there would be strict action against the culprits. Yashwant Sonawane, an additional collector from Malegaon, died after being set ablaze by petroleum fuel adulterators at Panewadi, 10 kilometers from Manmad in the Nashik district. (January 28, 2011)