"We have not come across any politician's name in our investigation. Allegations about Nationalist Congress Party leaders being involved have not come to me. If I am given proof, I will take stern action," Patil said.
Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party President Sudhir Mungantiwar had criticised Bhujbal, who is the guardian minister of Nashik district, and blamed him for the incident in which additional district collector Sonawane was burnt alive by suspected members of an oil mafia at Manmad in Nashik. Bhujbal had lashed out at the opposition, saying, "How is a guardian minister responsible? We had complained to the police about the activities of the oil mafia. Action had been taken against Popat Shinde, the accused. He was externed from Manmad and his oil tanker was also seized."
Patil said raids against the mafia have started since Wednesday night and 163 people have been arrested.
"All the district police have been given instructions to find out details from the food and drug department. We will crack down on oil, milk and sand mafia," he said.
Though the police don't have the right to conduct raids, in Wednesday's meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and his deputy Ajit Pawar, it was decided that the police can go ahead with such raids, Patil said.
