Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Bombay High Court Notices Padamsinh Patil Over Acquittal Appeal
Pawanraje Nimbalkar and his driver were killed in 2006.
Pawanraje’s family believes the murder was linked to a political rivalry.
The Central Bureau of Investigation later investigated the case and charged several people.
A Special CBI court acquitted the accused because it found serious problems with the investigation and evidence.
The court also said a key witness who changed sides was not reliable.
Pawanraje’s widow and son disagreed with the acquittal.
They asked the Bombay High Court to review the decision.
The High Court has now asked the accused and the Maharashtra government to respond.
This does not mean the High Court has found anyone guilty.
The Bombay High Court issued notices to Padamsinh Patil and eight others over an appeal challenging their acquittal.
Anandi Devi Nimbalkar and her son, Shiv Sena MP Omraje Nimbalkar, filed the appeal.
Pawanraje Nimbalkar and his driver, Samad Abdul Wahid Kazi, were shot dead on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway on June 3, 2006.
The Central Bureau of Investigation took over the case in March 2009 and filed a chargesheet against nine individuals.
A Special CBI court acquitted eight accused on June 20, citing an unreliable approver and insufficient evidence.
- Who
- Pawanraje Nimbalkar and his driver, Samad Abdul Wahid Kazi, were killed; Padamsinh Patil and others were accused. Anandi Devi Nimbalkar and Omraje Nimbalkar filed the appeal.
- What
- The Bombay High Court issued notices in an appeal challenging the acquittal of the accused in the murder case.
- When
- The killings occurred on June 3, 2006; the High Court issued notices on September 1, 2026. The Special CBI court acquitted the accused on June 20.
- Where
- The killings took place on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, and the proceedings are before the Bombay High Court in Mumbai.
- Why
- The Nimbalkar family challenged the acquittal, which followed a court finding that the investigation was flawed and the evidence insufficient.
Nimbalkar Family and Prosecution Challenge
Acquitted Accused and Trial Court Findings
Alleged motive and responsibility
Nimbalkar Family and Prosecution Challenge
The victim’s family alleged that the assassination was orchestrated by Padamsinh Patil because of a political rivalry in Osmanabad.
Acquitted Accused and Trial Court Findings
Patil and the other accused were acquitted by the Special CBI court; the article does not report their response to the appeal.
Strength of evidence
Nimbalkar Family and Prosecution Challenge
By appealing, the family is asking the High Court to reconsider the acquittals and the evidence presented in the case.
Acquitted Accused and Trial Court Findings
The Special CBI court held that the investigation was flawed and casual, the approver’s testimony was unreliable, and the remaining evidence did not prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Victim
- Pawanraje Nimbalkar, a Congress leader
- Second victim
- Samad Abdul Wahid Kazi, Pawanraje Nimbalkar’s driver
- Accused named
- Former Maharashtra Home Minister Padamsinh Patil and seven other named accused
- Investigation
- The Central Bureau of Investigation took over the probe in March 2009
- Chargesheet
- The CBI filed a chargesheet against nine individuals in August 2009
- Acquittal
- A Special CBI court acquitted eight accused on June 20
- High Court action
- A division bench comprising Justices Ajey Gadkari and Kamal Khata directed responses from the Maharashtra government, Patil and the co-accused