A special court has acquitted former Maharashtra minister and ex-NCP leader Padamsinh Patil along with seven others in the long-pending murder case of Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar, bringing closure to one of the state’s most closely watched political killings.
The verdict, delivered nearly 18 years after the incident, marks the conclusion of a case that had triggered intense political debate and multiple rounds of investigation, including a CBI probe ordered by the Bombay High Court.
Political Murder That Shook Maharashtra
Pawanraje Nimbalkar, a Congress leader from Osmanabad, and his driver were shot dead on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway on June 3, 2006. The incident sent shockwaves through Maharashtra’s political landscape, with allegations of rivalry and conspiracy emerging soon after.
The case gained further momentum when the victim’s family alleged that the killing was linked to political competition in Osmanabad district. Based on these claims, the investigation was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation in 2008.
Long Legal Fight and Multiple Turns
Over the years, the case saw arrests, extended hearings and repeated scrutiny of evidence. Several political figures were questioned as investigators attempted to establish the chain of events behind the double murder.
Despite the prolonged trial and high-profile nature of the allegations, the court on Saturday ruled that the prosecution had not been able to conclusively prove the charges, leading to the acquittal of all eight accused.
Court Verdict Brings Closure
With the judgment, Padamsinh Patil and the other accused have been cleared of all charges. The ruling effectively closes a nearly two-decade-long legal battle that remained a sensitive issue in Maharashtra politics.
Legal observers note that the case had remained one of the most prominent examples of a politically charged murder investigation in the state, drawing attention from across party lines.
Political Angle Resurfaces
In a recent twist, the case has once again entered political discussions as Pawanraje Nimbalkar’s son, Om Raje Nimbalkar, has been in the news for his association with a rebel group of MPs who aligned with the Eknath Shinde-led faction after breaking away from Shiv Sena (UBT).
