Special CBI Court Delivers Key Verdict
In a major development in one of Maharashtra's most high-profile political murder trials, a special CBI court in Mumbai has acquitted all nine accused, including former state minister Padmasinh Patil. The ruling comes as a severe blow to Dharashiv (formerly Osmanabad) MP Omraje Nimbalkar, the son of the deceased leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar, who has been leading a long legal battle to bring his father's killers to justice.
The Fatal 2006 Ambush
The case dates back to June 3, 2006, when influential Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar and his driver, Samad Qazi, were gunned down in broad daylight. The duo was traveling in a Skoda car through the Kalamboli area of Navi Mumbai when assailants intercepted their vehicle and opened fire indiscriminately, killing both on the spot. The brutal double murder sent shockwaves through the political landscape of Maharashtra and was immediately suspected to be a fallout of deep-rooted political rivalry.
CBI Investigation and Conspiracy Allegations
Dissatisfied with the initial local police investigation, Pawanraje Nimbalkar's family demanded an independent inquiry, leading to the case being transferred to the CBI. In 2009, the federal agency filed its charge sheet naming former Maharashtra Home Minister Padmasinh Patil as the prime conspirator. According to the CBI, Pawanraje's rising political dominance in the Osmanabad district was perceived as a direct challenge by Patil. The agency alleged that a contract of Rs 30 lakh was paid to execute the political assassination, though Patil consistently denied any involvement in the crime.
A Long Trial and the List of Acquitted
The legal proceedings dragged on for nearly 20 years, making it one of the longest-running political murder trials in the state. While the court was initially scheduled to pronounce its judgment on June 19, the decision was postponed due to certain technical and documentary procedures. On Saturday, the special CBI court finally delivered its verdict, clearing all accused of all charges. Alongside Padmasinh Patil, those acquitted include businessman Satish Mandade, former corporator Mohan Shukla, Parasmal Jain, former excise inspector Shashikant Kulkarni, BSP worker Kailash Yadav, and alleged shooters Dinesh Tiwari, Pintu Singh, and Chhote Pandey.
Recent Political Controversy
The case recently returned to political headlines following assertions by Uddhav Thackeray faction leader Sanjay Raut. Raut had claimed that Dharashiv MP Omraje Nimbalkar was being approached to switch political alignments with promises of a favorable outcome in the ongoing trial. However, no independent validation of these allegations was ever established. While this judgment marks the conclusion of a significant legal chapter in Maharashtra's political history, the possibility of the victim's family appealing the acquittal in a higher court remains open.
