A special court in Mumbai acquitted all accused in the 2006 murder case of Maharashtra Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar after a 20-year trial. The case involved former NCP MP Padamsinh Patil and others accused in the killing near Kalamboli, Navi Mumbai.
A special court in Mumbai has acquitted all accused in the 2006 murder case of Maharashtra Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar. The verdict came after a trial that continued for more than 20 years and involved extensive evidence, witness statements, and arguments.
Nimbalkar, aged 41, and his driver Samad Kazi were travelling from Mumbai to Osmanabad (now Dharashiv) on June 3, 2006, when their vehicle was intercepted near Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai. Two assailants allegedly opened fire on the car, killing both of them on the spot.
The case involved several accused, including former NCP MP Padamsinh Patil, who was Nimbalkar’s cousin and was considered a key figure in the prosecution’s allegations. Patil, now 86, faced trial along with businessman Satish Mandade, former BJP corporator Mohan Shukla, former excise officials, and alleged shooters.
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The accused included:
- Satish Mandade, a businessman from Latur
- Mohan Shukla, former BJP corporator and retired state excise inspector
- Parasmal Jain, former excise inspector
- Shashikant Kulkarni
- Kailash Yadav, BSP worker
- Alleged shooters Dinesh Tiwari, Pintu Singh and Chote Pandey
Initially, the investigation was carried out by Navi Mumbai Police. However, dissatisfied with the progress, Nimbalkar’s family approached the Bombay High Court seeking an independent investigation.
Following the High Court’s intervention, the probe was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). In 2009, the CBI filed a chargesheet naming Padamsinh Patil as the prime accused and alleged conspirator. The agency claimed that the murder was linked to political rivalry and alleged that Nimbalkar’s growing influence in Osmanabad threatened Patil’s political position.
According to the CBI’s case, a contract worth Rs 30 lakh was allegedly arranged to eliminate Nimbalkar. The prosecution claimed the dispute was connected to political competition and Nimbalkar’s opposition to the management of Terna Sugar Factory. Patil denied the allegations throughout the proceedings. He was arrested in June 2009 but later granted bail by an Alibaug sessions court in September 2009.
The prosecution relied significantly on the statement of Parasmal Jain, who was granted pardon and became an approver in the case. The CBI alleged that Jain had initially accepted a contract from Shukla and Mandade to kill Nimbalkar. Jain’s testimony became an important part of the prosecution’s case against the accused.
The trial began in July 2011 before a Special CBI Court headed by Additional Sessions Judge Satyanaryan Navandar. The court examined 128 witnesses during the lengthy proceedings. Among them was anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare, whose name surfaced after allegations that Patil had allegedly also planned an attack against him. Hazare told the court that he had received threats from Patil.
The judgment was delayed multiple times before being pronounced on June 20. After considering documentary evidence, witness statements, and arguments from both sides, the court acquitted all accused. The CBI has stated that it will challenge the acquittal before the High Court, claiming that it had presented strong evidence during the trial.
Who Was Pawanraje Nimbalkar?: Pawanraje Nimbalkar was a prominent Congress leader from Osmanabad district. He had initially risen politically with support from Padamsinh Patil and held important positions in cooperative institutions, including Terna Sugar Factory and Osmanabad District Central Cooperative Bank.
However, relations between the two leaders allegedly deteriorated as Nimbalkar’s political influence increased.
During the trial, Nimbalkar’s son, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Omraje Nimbalkar, told the court that his father had filed police complaints against Patil after their political relationship broke down.
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