20 years, 127 witnesses later, CBI court to rule on Congress leader's murder

Mumbai,UPDATED: Jun 16, 2026 09:50 IST

A special CBI court in Mumbai is set to deliver its verdict, 20 years after one of Maharashtra's most prominent political murder cases involving the families of Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Omraje Nimbalkar and BJP MLA Ranajagjitsinha Padmasinh Patil from Osmanabad, now known as Dharashiv.

The verdict will be pronounced against eight accused, including Ranajagjitsinha Patil's father, Padmasinh Patil, who is now 86 years old.

Padmasinh Patil served as Maharashtra's Home Minister in the late 1980s and held several cabinet portfolios. He was an MLA when the murder took place and later went on to become a Member of Parliament from Dharashiv.

His sister, Sunetra Pawar, is currently the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and the wife of Ajit Pawar.

Omraje Nimbalkar's father, Pawanraje Nimbalkar, was a prominent Congress leader from the Marathwada region. According to the prosecution, he was viewed as a political threat by NCP stalwart Padmasinh Patil.

On June 3, 2006, Pawanraje Nimbalkar and his driver were travelling in a Skoda car near Kalamboli when they were allegedly intercepted by assailants travelling in another vehicle.

The attackers allegedly forced Nimbalkar's car to stop and opened fire, killing both men on the spot before fleeing.

Allegations of threats and a contract killing soon surfaced, following which the investigation was handed over to the CBI. According to the agency, the killers were paid Rs 30 lakh to eliminate Nimbalkar.

Padmasinh Patil and eight other accused were arrested in connection with the case. One of the accused later turned approver and was granted a pardon.

Over the past 20 years, the case has reached the Supreme Court multiple times. The apex court eventually expedited the trial and extended its deadline on three occasions. Following the examination and cross-examination of 127 witnesses, the case concluded with months of lengthy final arguments.

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