CBI Court Acquits Former Minister Padamsinh Patil and Seven Others in 2006 Murder Case

A special CBI court in Mumbai on Saturday, June 20, 2026, acquitted former Maharashtra minister Padamsinh Patil and seven other accused in the 2006 murder of Congress leader Pavanraje Nimbalkar.

The verdict brings an end to one of the state's longest-running political murder trials, clearing all the primary accused of involvement in the 20-year-old case.

The 86-year-old Patil, a former minister, MP, and influential political leader from Osmanabad, arrived at the court in an ambulance and was brought inside in a wheelchair due to age-related ailments. His son, BJP MLA Rana Jagjitsinh Patil, stated that the family had not informed the former minister of the verdict beforehand, only telling him he was being taken to court to mark his attendance.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had named Patil as the alleged mastermind of the conspiracy. According to investigators, the murder was the result of a long-standing political rivalry between Patil and his cousin, Nimbalkar, who had challenged Patil's political dominance in Osmanabad. The rivalry had intensified after Patil defeated Nimbalkar in the 2004 Assembly election by a margin of 484 votes. The prosecution had alleged that Patil financed the conspiracy and paid contract killers.

Along with Patil, the court acquitted seven other individuals. These included Satish Mandade, a Latur-based businessman alleged to be a key link who arranged finances, and Mohan Shukla, a retired state excise officer and former BJP corporator from Dombivli, who allegedly acted as an intermediary.

Shashikant Kulkarni, another retired excise officer, was also acquitted. The CBI had accused him of arranging Rs 4 lakh as advance money for logistical expenses.

The alleged shooters, Mahatam Chaudhary, also known as Pintu, and Dinesh Tiwari, were among those cleared. Chaudhary was accused of firing the fatal shot at Nimbalkar, while Tiwari was accused of shooting driver Samad Kazi. Chaudhary was produced from a Bihar jail where he is held for another case, and will be returned there despite the acquittal.

The remaining two acquitted individuals are Kailash Yadav, a resident of Uttar Pradesh accused of helping recruit the shooters, and Gyanendra Pandey, also known as Chhote Pandey, who allegedly drove the vehicle used in the crime.

All eight accused were out on bail prior to the Saturday verdict.