Mumbai: All 9 Cleared In Pawanraje Nimbalkar Murder Case; Focus Shifts To Omraje’s Political Move

Describing the verdict as a reflection of “Kaliyug”, Dharashiv MP Omraje Nimbalkar, son of the slain leader, said he would consult supporters and party workers before taking any political decision. Omraje is among the six rebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs whose future political course has been the subject of intense speculation.

The court held that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt and pointed to deficiencies in the evidence presented during the trial.

The verdict evoked strong reactions from both sides. Omraje termed the judgment a setback to his family’s long struggle for justice and said they would challenge the acquittal before a higher court.

Supporters of Padamsinh Patil, meanwhile, welcomed the verdict, maintaining that the former minister had been falsely implicated in the case. The acquittal follows years of legal proceedings during which Patil consistently denied all allegations and maintained his innocence.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde described the verdict as unfortunate and said the CBI would challenge the acquittal before the Bombay High Court. He said he had already discussed the matter with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, adding that the CBI had decided to file an appeal.

The judgment assumes political significance amid the ongoing realignments in Maharashtra politics and the recent rebellion within Shiv Sena (UBT). Omraje, who is among the six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs reportedly in touch with the Shinde camp, said no final decision had been taken regarding his political future.

“I have never spoken ill about Uddhav Thackeray or Aaditya Thackeray in the past and will never do so in the future. I will take a final decision only after consulting my supporters. This verdict has nothing to do with my political decision. These are two completely different matters. But I want to understand what people from my constituency think,” he said.

Pawanraje Nimbalkar, a prominent Congress leader from Osmanabad, now Dharashiv, was shot dead along with his driver, Samad Kazi, near Kalamboli on June 3, 2006. Investigators alleged that the killings stemmed from a bitter political rivalry in the district. Following allegations of interference in the initial probe, the investigation was transferred to the CBI. The agency later alleged that Padamsinh Patil had conspired to eliminate Nimbalkar through hired assailants, charges the former minister consistently denied.

During the course of the trial, the prosecution examined more than 100 witnesses and relied heavily on the testimony of an approver to establish the alleged conspiracy. However, the court found the evidence insufficient and the approver’s testimony unreliable.