‘Who Killed My Father?’ Asks Nimbalkar’s Son After Padamsinh Patil’s Acquittal in 2006 Murder Case

A special CBI court in Mumbai on Saturday acquitted former Maharashtra Home Minister Padamsinh Patil and seven others in the 2006 murder of Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar and his driver Samad Kazi , citing serious shortcomings in the investigation and insufficient evidence to establish their involvement in the crime.

Delivering the verdict, Special CBI Judge Satyanarayan Navandar observed that while the murders were grave and serious offences, convictions could not be based on unreliable or doubtful evidence . The court also noted significant lapses in the probe, including the failure to collect crucial digital evidence such as mobile phones and call detail records (CDRs) of the accused.

The prosecution's case largely relied on the testimony of accused-turned-approver Parasmal Jain , who had alleged that Patil was part of a conspiracy to eliminate Nimbalkar due to political rivalry. However, the court found Jain's statements riddled with contradictions and inconsistencies, describing him as an unreliable witness whose testimony lacked independent corroboration.

Pawanraje Nimbalkar and his driver were shot dead on June 3, 2006 , near Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai while travelling from Mumbai to Osmanabad, now known as Dharashiv. The case was initially investigated by the Navi Mumbai Police before being transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following concerns raised by Nimbalkar's family over the pace and direction of the probe.

According to the CBI, political differences between Patil and Nimbalkar had intensified after corruption allegations were levelled against Patil in 2002, allegedly providing the motive for the murder. The court, however, held that motive alone could not be treated as proof of conspiracy or participation in the offence .

The trial, which began in 2011, lasted nearly 15 years and saw the examination of 128 witnesses . Following the acquittal, the CBI said it would challenge the verdict before the Bombay High Court .