20 years later, former MP acquitted in Congress leader's murder
What's the story
A special court in Mumbai has acquitted all the accused in the 2006 murder case of Maharashtra Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar. The incident took place on June 3, 2006, when two gunmen shot dead Nimbalkar and his driver, Samad Kazi, as they were traveling from Mumbai to Osmanabad. Among those tried for the murder was Nimbalkar's cousin and former Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Padamsinh Patil.
Case transfer
CBI chargesheet named Patil as prime accused
Initially investigated by Navi Mumbai police, the case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after Nimbalkar's family sought an independent probe from the Bombay High Court. In 2009, the CBI named Padamsinh Patil as the prime accused in their chargesheet. The agency alleged that political rivalry motivated the murder and claimed a ₹30 lakh contract was arranged to eliminate Nimbalkar.
Lengthy trial
Trial conducted by Additional Sessions Judge Navandar
The case started in July 2011 and took over two decades to conclude. A special court examined 128 witnesses during the proceedings, including anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare. Hazare testified about receiving threats from Patil after Parasmal Jain confessed that Patil had given a contract to kill him. The trial was conducted by Additional Sessions Judge Satyanaryan Navandar of a Special CBI Court.
Appeal planned
CBI to appeal against acquittals in high court
The court was initially scheduled to pronounce its verdict last month, but deferred it twice before delivering the final judgment. The CBI has announced plans to appeal against the acquittals in the high court, citing "very good evidence" against the accused. Nimbalkar was a prominent Congress leader from Osmanabad district and had emerged as a political rival to Patil.
Rivalry
Accused, victim were rivals
Nimbalkar initially rose politically with Patil's support and held positions in cooperative institutions, according to court testimony. However, relations between the two leaders reportedly went sour as Nimbalkar's political influence grew. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Omraje Nimbalkar, who is Nimbalkar's son, even told the court that his father had lodged police complaints against Patil as relations between the two camps worsened.