Nimbalkar case transferred to CBI

Nimbalkar, a Congress leader from Usmanabad, was shot dead on June 3, 2003 at Kalmaboli in Navi Mumbai while travelling down the Pune-Mumbai expressway. His driver too was killed in the incident.

His wife, Anandibai Nimbalkar, had filed a petition before the High Court seeking CBI probe and alleging that NCP leader and former state minister Padmasinh Patil had hand in Pawanraje’s murder.

A division bench of Justice S B Mhase and Justice V K Tahilramani have said in the judgment that the probe carried out by the Navi Mumbai Crime Branch has hit a deadlock and does not inspire confidence.

The judges observed that the police did not look into the possibility that Vicky Malhotra, a Chhota Rajan aide who was in Thane jail during this period, might be involved in the murder. The narco-analysis of Tanaji Patil, an accused, had revealed Malhotra’s name.

The court had earlier sought the record of Malhotra’s movement out of the jail. Malhotra had been taken to Mumbai around June 3 in connection with a court remand.

The judges have also pointed out that the police did not trace the calls on Nimbalkar’s cell phone on the day of the murder.

The court has concluded that in a matter regarding a person who has connections with the administration, it is in public interest that the CBI probes the case. The CBI has been directed to expedite the probe.