On June 3, 2006, Congress leader Pavanraje Nimbalkar and his driver were shot dead in a car by assailants.
The prime accused in the case was now-86 year old Padamsinh Patil, a former NCP minister and ex-Maharashtra Home Minister.
The CBI had alleged that Patil had orchestrated a contract killing worth approximately ₹30–35 lakh against Nimbalkar, driven by political rivalry and disputes over the management of the Terna Sugar Factory.
Today, the court has acquitted the remaining eight accused, including Padamsinh Patil.
The CBI is likely to appeal the acquittal before the High Court.
On June 3, 2006, Congress leader Pavanraje Nimbalkar and his driver were shot dead in a car by assailants.
The prime accused in the case was now-86 year old Padamsinh Patil, a former NCP minister and ex-Maharashtra Home Minister. He is also the brother of Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar.
The CBI had alleged that Patil had orchestrated a contract killing worth approximately ₹30–35 lakh against Nimbalkar, driven by political rivalry and disputes over the management of the Terna Sugar Factory.
The other accused in the case included businessman Satish Mandade, former corporator Mohan Shukla, Parasmal Jain, former excise inspector Shashikant Kulkarni, BSP worker Kailash Yadav, and alleged shooters Dinesh Tiwari, Pintu Singh, and Chote Pandey.
Jain later turned approver.
Today, the court has acquitted the remaining eight accused, including Padamsinh Patil.
Twenty-nine of the 128 witnesses examined during the trial turned hostile.
The CBI is likely to appeal the acquittal before the High Court.
