A special CBI court in Mumbai is set to deliver its verdict on June 20 in the two-decade-old murder case of Dharashiv Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar and his driver, Samad Kazi. The case, which has been pending for over 18 years, has eight accused, including former Maharashtra home minister and ex-NCP MP Padamsinh Patil, who is also Nimbalkar's cousin.
The judgment was initially scheduled for Tuesday, but the special judge informed that he would require an additional two to three days to complete the order. The courtroom was filled with anxious family members and legal representatives as the proceedings unfolded.
Details of the Crime
Nimbalkar and Kazi were shot dead on June 3, 2006, while traveling from Mumbai to Osmanabad (now Dharashiv). Two assailants intercepted their car at Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai and opened fire, killing both on the spot. The Navi Mumbai police initially investigated the case, but later, following directions from the Bombay High Court, the probe was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Arrests and Trial
Padamsinh Patil was arrested in June 2009 and granted bail in September of the same year. The trial began in July 2011, during which the special court examined 128 witnesses. The CBI has alleged that the murders were carried out through a contract killing worth Rs 25 lakh, driven by political rivalry.
Victim's Family Seeks Justice
Nimbalkar's son, Omprakash, currently a Lok Sabha member from Shiv Sena (UBT), was present in court on Tuesday. He expressed the long wait for justice, stating, "The families of the two victims have been waiting for justice for over 20 years. We now only expect justice. An ordinary citizen has to struggle immensely to get justice."
Omprakash had approached the High Court seeking a CBI probe, maintaining that the murders were politically motivated. He alleged that political rivalry escalated after his father lost the 2004 assembly election by a narrow margin of 484 votes. "This was a pre-planned murder carried out to eliminate a political opponent," he alleged.
Political Background
The case has significant political implications, given the involvement of a former minister and the victim's family's political ties. The verdict is expected to bring closure to a case that has lingered for nearly two decades, with many awaiting the court's decision.
