Mumbai, June 20: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday said it will challenge before the Bombay High Court the acquittal of all accused in the high-profile murder case of Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar and his driver.

A special CBI court in Mumbai acquitted all the accused, including former Maharashtra Home Minister and ex-NCP MP Padamsinh Bajirao Patil, citing a lack of reliable evidence and extending the benefit of doubt to the accused.

Pawanraje Nimbalkar, a prominent Congress leader, and his driver were shot dead in broad daylight on June 3, 2006, in Navi Mumbai. The case was subsequently transferred to the CBI on the directions of the Bombay High Court.

Following an extensive investigation, the CBI filed its charge sheet in 2009 and a supplementary charge sheet in 2010 against nine accused persons, including Padamsinh Patil. During the trial, one of the accused turned approver and became a key prosecution witness.

In its judgment, the trial court held that the testimony of the prosecution’s star witness was not sufficiently credible to sustain a conviction. The court observed that the witness had repeatedly changed his statements and that there were material contradictions in his version.

“A conviction cannot be based solely on the testimony of this witness,” the court noted, adding that although the approver was a crucial link in the prosecution’s case, his evidence could not be relied upon because of persistent inconsistencies.

The court further observed that contradictions in the witness’s statements undermined the prosecution’s conspiracy theory and ultimately granted the accused the benefit of doubt, leading to their acquittal.

The CBI, however, maintained that it had produced strong evidence against the accused and said that it would challenge the verdict before the Bombay High Court.

Among those acquitted was Padamsinh Patil, 86, who was alleged by the CBI to be the principal conspirator behind the killings. Patil, who is also Nimbalkar’s first cousin, arrived at the court in a wheelchair, accompanied by a hospital attendant.

Padamsinh Patil was arrested by the CBI in June 2009 and was granted bail by the Alibaug Sessions Court later that year. With the trial court now acquitting all the accused, the case is set to enter a new legal phase as the CBI prepares to challenge the verdict before the Bombay High Court.

Mumbai: The Mumbai Police Crime Branch has reportedly conducted a raid at the controversial Soortaal Dance Bar, located within the jurisdiction of Santacruz East and Vakola Police Station, and detained eight women who were allegedly found performing dance activities on the premises.

According to local residents, complaints regarding the bar’s alleged illegal operations had been raised on several occasions. Residents claimed that the establishment continued functioning until the early hours of the morning, allegedly operating beyond permitted timings. They further alleged that obscene dance performances were being conducted and that several incidents involving disputes and assaults between customers had taken place at the venue in the past.

Local residents had reportedly shared information about the bar’s activities with Mumbai Press, which subsequently brought the matter to the attention of senior officials of the Mumbai Police Crime Branch. Sources alleged that after regular business hours, customers were being allowed entry through a rear entrance and that gatherings continued on the upper floors of the premises until the morning.

Some residents have also alleged that despite repeated complaints, action against the establishment had not been taken earlier. However, following the Crime Branch operation, locals expressed relief and welcomed the police action.

Residents thanked Mumbai Press for highlighting the issue and said the raid had helped address a long-standing concern in the area. Police officials are expected to continue their investigation into the matter and examine whether any laws or licensing conditions were violated by the establishment.

Further details are awaited.

A project to purify 2000 million litres of water per day is being set up by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation in the Bhandup Complex, Mumbai. Under this project, the engineers of the Water Supply Project Department have saved the Municipal Corporation about Rs 20,000. Rs 7.48 crore in the work of shifting high voltage power towers. Taking note of this remarkable achievement, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide presented certificates of appreciation to the concerned engineers at the Municipal Corporation Headquarters today (June 19, 2026).

Executive Engineer Rajesh Kapdanis, Assistant Engineer Rishikesh Vartak, Second Engineer Gururaj Iwale, Second Engineer Subodh Nakhrekar are included in this. Deputy Commissioner (Municipal Commissioner Office) Prashant Gaikwad, Deputy Commissioner (Special Engineering) Parshottam Malwade, Chief Engineer (Water Supply Project) Chandrakant Choudhary were present on the occasion.

The 2000 million litres per day Water Treatment Project (WTP) at Bhandup Complex is going to be one of the largest water treatment projects in Asia. Based on modern technology, the project is being developed in a minimum footprint and as per the concept of zero waste water discharge. Since the Extra High Voltage (EHV) power transmission lines of M/s Tata Power Company Limited pass through the proposed project site, it was necessary to relocate these towers. Accordingly, the Municipal Corporation has initiated the process of shifting these power transmission lines from Tata Power Company.

Tata Power Company has submitted an estimated cost of Rs. 14.70 crore including goods and services tax for this work. As per the provisions of the agreement, the necessary advance has been paid to the project contractor M/s Welspun Enterprises Limited. As per the relocation plan, 5 new towers were erected in an area of ​​about 500 metres in length to relocate the existing 3 high voltage towers. The work of shifting of power transmission lines was successfully completed in February 2026. 2 out of the 3 old towers have been completely removed. Under the guidance of Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijeet Bangar, the engineers of the Water Supply Project Department during the execution of the work noticed that the estimated cost submitted by Tata Power Company was relatively high. Accordingly, the engineers of the Water Supply Project Department re-evaluated the cost based on the actual work done for shifting of high voltage towers. The applicable rebates and payment of the salvage value of the removed towers were continuously followed up. Thereafter, Tata Power Company has approved the refund of an amount of Rs. 5 crore 76 lakhs. The Mumbai Municipal Corporation has completed the submission of the financial statement of the actual cost. In addition, the Municipal Corporation will also get the amount of the salvage value of the removed towers. In total, the actual cost of the work of shifting of high voltage towers is Rs. 6 crore 69 lakhs. Direct savings of Rs. 12 crore 46 lakhs as against Rs. 5 crore 76 lakhs initially paid. In addition, as per the provisions of the agreement, the Municipal Corporation has achieved financial savings of about Rs. 100000. Rs. 7 crore 48 lakhs on account of 10% overheads and profit of the contractor as well as GST amount. In addition, further financial savings are expected in the form of salvage value of the removed towers.