After nearly two decades in Pawanraje Nimbalkar murder case,all individuals accused have now been acquitted,and family is still left asking same painful question.
Verdict came on June 21,2026 . For outside people,it may look like one more old political murder case finally reaching court end . But for Nimbalkar family,this clearly feels like another wound opening again .
Omraje Nimbalkar,Pawanraje's son and a member of Parliament,put that pain very directly when he asked,“Who killed my father? Who will answer that question for me and my family?” And honestly,that line says everything about where family stands even after so many years.
Pawanraje Nimbalkar,a prominent Congress leader,was assassinated in June 2006 . Since then,family has been alleging that police negligence and delayed investigation damaged chance of justice. Their point is simple but heavy: if important evidence was lost during long delay,then how will truth come out properly?
Case also had complicated political angle from beginning only . Key suspect Dr. Padmasinh Bajirao Patil was once close ally of Pawanraje,but later became political rival after allegations of financial misconduct against Pawanraje during his tenure as chairman of the Osmanabad District Central Co-operative Bank. After 2002,their relationship soured badly,and that is why family suspected Patil had orchestrated Pawanraje’s murder .
Few things standing out clearly in this case:
- Political ties between Pawanraje and Dr . Padmasinh Bajirao Patil became bitter after financial allegations.
- Initial probe was criticized for bringing multiple theories and shifting attention away from important evidence.
- Case went to Central Bureau of Investigation in March 2009,but CBI also faced trouble gathering credible evidence.
And tbh,this is where whole case becomes frustrating . CBI took over in 2009,but Nimbalkars allege contradictory evidence was introduced and that it ended up benefiting accused . When investigation itself becomes question mark,then court outcome will always leave people divided.
Now CBI has said it intends to challenge acquittal,so legally matter may not be fully over yet . Family is also looking at legal options because they feel justice system failed them in this high-profile case .
But after nearly two decades,one family is still standing with same question,and that question has not gone anywhere…
