The Maharashtra government will challenge the acquittal in the Pawanraje Nimbalkar double murder case, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced on Saturday. Shinde stated that he and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had discussed the matter with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file an appeal against the verdict in the High Court.

Shinde said, “Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and I have spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He has assured us that the CBI will appeal the decision in the High Court and pursue the case further. Necessary instructions have already been issued to the agency.” Expressing disappointment over the court’s ruling, Shinde described the case as a tragic and serious incident. He noted that Pawanraje Nimbalkar and two others were killed in broad daylight, and many people, including the victim’s family, had expected the accused to be convicted.

“This is an unfortunate and painful development. The family and several others believed justice would be served, but the CBI court has acquitted all the accused,” he said. A special CBI court acquitted all nine accused in the 2006 murder case of former Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar and his driver Samad Kazi, citing insufficient evidence.

Nimbalkar and Kazi were shot dead in June 2006 in Navi Mumbai’s Kalamboli area. The investigation was later handed over to the CBI, and the case remained under trial for several years. Among those acquitted was former NCP leader Padamsinh Patil, considered one of the principal accused in the case. Nine individuals had been arrested and chargesheeted in connection with the murders.

Pawanraje Nimbalkar was the father of Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Omraje Nimbalkar, one of six party MPs recently in the spotlight amid speculation that they could join the Eknath Shinde-led faction. Omraje Nimbalkar and other family members were present in court when the verdict was delivered. After reviewing the evidence and hearing final arguments, the special CBI court acquitted all nine accused, bringing a long-running legal battle to a close, though the decision is now set to be challenged in the High Court.