Key Facts
A sessions court in Navi Mumbai on June 20, 2026, acquitted all eight accused in the 2006 murder of former Congress MLA Pawanraje Nimbalkar and his driver. The accused include Lok Sabha MP Padamsinh Patil of the Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP). The court cited a lack of credible evidence and multiple flaws in the CBI investigation.
Details of the Case
Nimbalkar and his driver were shot dead by two assailants in Kalamboli, Navi Mumbai, on June 3, 2006. The prosecution alleged a conspiracy hatched for ₹25 lakh. Padamsinh Patil, then an MP, was arrested by the CBI on June 6, 2009, and later granted bail on a personal bond of ₹2 lakh. The other accused include Satish Mandade, Mohan Shukla, Shashikant Kulkarni, Kailash Yadav, Dinesh Tiwari, Pintu Singh (the main shooter), and Chhote Pandey.
Reasons for Acquittal
The court pointed to several investigation failures:
- Unreliable approver: A key witness who turned approver had a history of lying and gave contradictory statements about his movements on the day of the murder.
- Missing mobile records: Police did not seize mobile phones or obtain call detail records of the accused.
- Vehicle discrepancies: The car used in the crime was burnt, but the seizure report mentioned its colour as green, which the court questioned.
- Inconsistent witness accounts: Different witnesses gave conflicting locations where the vehicle was found.
- Unsubstantiated claims: The approver claimed to have met former Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria, which Maria denied, and the CBI did not investigate further.
- Unverified letter: A 2003 letter from Nimbalkar expressing safety concerns about Patil was not properly investigated.
The court acknowledged political rivalry but said animosity alone is not enough for conviction.
Impact and Reactions
The CBI, after requests from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, will challenge the verdict in the Bombay High Court. The victim's son, Omraje Nimbalkar, an MP, expressed shock and called the judgment unfortunate. He plans to appeal in higher courts. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve said the acquittal shakes public faith in the justice system.
What Readers Should Know
This case highlights the challenges of securing convictions in high-profile murder cases when investigation procedures are flawed. The acquittal underscores the importance of credible evidence and proper police work. The legal battle is expected to continue in the Bombay High Court and possibly the Supreme Court.
FAQ
Q: Who were the accused in the Nimbalkar murder case?
A: The accused included NCP-SP MP Padamsinh Patil, Satish Mandade, Mohan Shukla, Shashikant Kulkarni, Kailash Yadav, Dinesh Tiwari, Pintu Singh, and Chhote Pandey.
Q: Why were the accused acquitted?
A: The court cited lack of credible evidence, unreliable witnesses, missing mobile phone records, and procedural lapses in the CBI investigation.
Q: What is the next step in the case?
A: The CBI plans to challenge the acquittal in the Bombay High Court, and the victim's family will also appeal.
Source: www.thehindu.com