Is the verdict of 20 year old Pawanraje Nimbalkar murder case related to the rebellion of Uddhav Sena? Was any political promise made to get a verdict in favor of Omraj Nimbalkar? Is it just power behind the rebellion of six MPs or is there some big secret hidden? Will the CBI court’s decision decide the new equation of Maharashtra politics?
Pawanraje Nimbalkar Murder Case: The rebellion of six MPs of the Uddhav Thackeray faction (UBT) in Maharashtra politics has not only given rise to a political crisis, but has also reopened the buried pages of a two-decade old very high-profile murder case. At the center of this rebellion, the name of Omraje Nimbalkar, MP from Dharashiv (Osmanabad) and considered a staunch loyalist of Uddhav Thackeray, has suddenly come into the limelight. Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has made a sensational claim which has given a new and scary twist to the inside story of the entire rebellion. According to Raut, there is no political ideology behind Omraj’s change of sides, but the murder case of his father who has been searching for justice for 20 years.
That black afternoon: When Pawanraje Nimbalkar was gunned down on the highway
The script of this suspense was written exactly 20 years ago, on June 3, 2006. Omraje Nimbalkar’s father Pawanraje Nimbalkar was a very influential and popular Congress leader of Osmanabad district. During that period, the area was under the sole rule of veteran Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Padam Singh Patil. Pawanraje started politics under the patronage of Patil and held high positions from Terna Sugar Factory to District Cooperative Bank.
But as Pawanraje’s popularity grew, he became the biggest challenge to Padmasingh Patil’s empire. The enmity between the two increased to such an extent that Pawanraje even filed a police complaint against Patil. Then came that dark day of June 3, 2006. Pawanraje was passing through his Skoda car with his driver Samad Kazi near Kalamboli in Navi Mumbai. Then suddenly an unknown vehicle blocked their path and the attackers opened fire and killed Pawanraje and his driver.
Who was targeted in the CBI charge sheet?
This high-profile murder sent shockwaves across Maharashtra. After a tough struggle and dissatisfaction of the Nimbalkar family, this investigation was handed over to the CBI. The charge sheet filed by CBI in 2009 shocked the entire country. The country’s largest investigating agency has termed former Maharashtra Home Minister Padam Singh Patil as the main mastermind and conspirator of this entire murder. According to CBI, Patil feared that Pawanraje Nimbalkar would end his political existence. Due to this fear, a bloody contract of ₹ 30 lakh was given to Pawanraje to remove him from the way. In this case, many shooters including businessman Satish Mandade were made accused. However, Patil has consistently denied these allegations.
20 years of wait and suspense of the court: decision postponed at the last moment!
After more than 20 years of lengthy court proceedings, hundreds of testimonies and legal maneuvers, the moment had finally come for which Omraj Nimbalkar had been waiting since childhood. The Special CBI Court was to give its final verdict on this historical case on this Tuesday. The eyes of the entire Maharashtra were fixed on this decision, because its results were going to change the politics of the state. But at the last moment the court postponed this decision and now its new date has been fixed for next Saturday. The court taking this step just before the verdict and on the other hand, there being such a big rebellion in the Uddhav Sena – the chronology of these two incidents has raised many serious questions.
Is the stand being changed in exchange for the decision? Sanjay Raut’s claim created a stir
Now the biggest question is, what does this 20 year old murder case have to do with the rebellion of Eknath Shinde group? Sanjay Raut has alleged that Omraje Nimbalkar has been given such an ‘offer’ by the Eknath Shinde group and the ruling camp, which it was not possible for him to refuse.
- What is secret agreement?: Raut claims that the rebel group has promised Omraj that if he leaves Uddhav Thackeray and joins Shinde Sena, then behind the scenes help will be given in getting a verdict in his favor in his father’s murder case and ensuring justice.
- Preparation for constitutional battle: On the other hand, the Uddhav camp is preparing legal and political strategies to disqualify these rebel MPs.
| Faction | Stance on murder case and rebellion |
| Sanjay Raut (UBT) | It is claimed that Omraj is being forced to change sides by luring him with the lure of justice in his father’s murder case. |
| Rebel/Shinde faction | They are calling the rebellion ideological and rejecting any kind of political compromise based on the court’s decision. |
This decision of the CBI court on Saturday will not only decide the fate of former Home Minister Padam Singh Patil or the shooters, but will also decide what will be the next step of Omraje Nimbalkar in Maharashtra politics. Will a son sacrifice his old loyalties in the hope of justice? The answer to this will be revealed soon.