Why hand-over of Nimbalkar case was delayed, HC asks govt

The Bombay High Court has asked Maharashtra Government to explain the delay in handing over Pawanraje Nimbalkar murder case to CBI, despite court's order. Nimbalkar, a Congress leader from Osmanabad, was shot dead on Mumbai-Pune express highway in June 2006.

The Bombay High Court has asked Maharashtra Government to explain the delay in handing over Pawanraje Nimbalkar murder case to CBI, despite court's order.

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The petition filed by Nimbalkar's wife Anandibai would come up for hearing on Wednesday, before the division bench of Justices Ranjana Desai and R G Ketkar.

Nimbalkar, a Congress leader from Osmanabad, was shot dead on Mumbai-Pune express highway in June 2006.

His wife filed petition in the High Court, saying that she suspected NCP leader and former state minister Padmasinh Patil to be behind the murder.

She also sought CBI probe. High Court, last October, said in its order that investigation by the Navi Mumbai Crime Branch was "faulty" and "one-sided" and directed that CBI should probe the case.

But last week Anandibai moved court again, saying that CBI was yet to take up the case.

On Monday, the investing agency told the court that it had taken over the case only now as it was transferred by the state only in March.

The Court adjourned hearing till April 29, seeking affidavit from the state explaining the delay.