Mumbai: The acquittal of former state home minister Padamsinh Patil in the murder case of his cousin and political rival, Pawanraje Nimbalkar, has revived memories of a bitter power struggle in Maharashtra’s cooperative sector over the control of sugar mills and cooperative banks, as well as the role of co-accused-turned-approver Parasmal Jain.Maharashtra’s cooperative sector grew under strong political patronage and enjoyed deep roots in rural areas, making control of cooperative institutions a significant source of political influence. Cooperative banks and sugar mills were often dominated by politicians, particularly functionaries from the Congress and later the NCP, before 2014, and allegations of financial irregularities in the sector began surfacing prominently around two decades ago.Padamsinh Patil and Pawanraje Nimbalkar were first cousins. Nimbalkar entered politics in the 1980s under Patil’s patronage when the latter was an influential state politician. In 1991, Nimbalkar was elected to the Zilla Parishad. In 1994, he became a director of the Osmanabad District Central Cooperative Bank (ODCCB), part of the Maharashtra State Co-Operative Bank, and within two years rose to become its chairperson. In 1995, he was elected a director of the Terna Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana (TSSK).The relationship between Patil and Nimbalkar remained cordial until 2002. However, tensions emerged after the home trade securities scam surfaced, leading to Nimbalkar’s arrest who was then ODCCB chairperson. Around the same time, allegations of financial irregularities also surfaced at the TSSK, where Nimbalkar served as a director, and Patil was the chairperson. Nimbalkar was arrested in that case as well.In 2002, social activist Anna Hazare levelled corruption allegations against Padamsinh Patil, who was then a state minister, prompting his resignation amid public pressure. In 2003, the Maharashtra govt constituted a commission headed by Justice PB Sawant to inquire into the allegations.The rift widened in 2003 when Nimbalkar organised public protests and raised objections to the functioning of the Terna sugar factory and its management. According to allegations at the time, he was assaulted by Patil’s supporters during a general body meeting of the cooperative, resulting in cross-complaints being lodged with the police.As Nimbalkar’s influence within the cooperative sector grew, he emerged as a political challenger to Patil. In the 2004 Assembly election, he contested as an Independent candidate against Patil and lost by just 484 votes.The narrow margin intensified the rivalry, with investigators later alleging that Patil viewed Nimbalkar as a growing political threat.In June 2006, Nimbalkar and his driver were shot dead near Navi Mumbai. According to the CBI case, Parasmal Jain lured Nimbalkar to the location on the pretext of a land deal, where hired shooters allegedly carried out the attack.The murder remained unsolved for nearly three years despite sustained demands from Nimbalkar’s family, following which the Bombay High Court transferred the investigation to the CBI.The breakthrough came in 2009 when, according to sources, Jain allegedly boasted about having executed a ‘big job’ while speaking in the presence of another police informer. The information was passed on to Mumbai police officers, who initially detained Jain in connection with other offences and continued questioning him. Investigators claimed that during the course of interrogation, Jain disclosed details that eventually led them to the Nimbalkar murder conspiracy.Padmasinh Patil’s son Ranajagjitsinh Patil is BJP MLA from Tuljaour whereas Pawanraje Nimbalkar’s son Omraje Nimbalkar is Osmanabad (Dharashiv) MP from Shiv Sena.
