CBI records Anna Hazare's statement on Nimbalkar murder case

Mumbai, June 10 (ANI): The CBI has recorded the statement of social activist Anna Hazare in connection with the 2006 murder of Maharashtra Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar, in connection to which Nationalist Congress Party MP Padamsinh Patil has been arrested.

Speaking to reporters, Hazare said he had become a target as he exposed the malpractices and corruption in the Terna sugar factory, of which Patil was the chairman.

He also asked the CBI to register another case against Patil for plotting to kill him.

Patil was sent to seven days Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) custody by a Panvel court after he was arrested. The custody comes up for review on June 14.

According to a statement submitted by an arrested accused Parasmal Jain, who claimed that Patil had ordered Nimbalkar's murder, he was paid a supari (contract amount) of Rs.30 lakh by Patil to eliminate Nimbalkar due to business rivalry.

Two men on a motorcycle gunned down Nimbalkar and his driver Samad Qazi near Kopar Khairne, Navi Mumbai on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway on June 3, 2006. The Kalamboli police did the initial investigations.

The Bombay High Court then transferred the case to CBI in October 2008.

In February this year, police arrested two men in connection with the murder. After interrogating the two, police found that Rs 30 lakh was paid to kill the Congress leader.

The CBI had earlier this year nabbed two people, and one of them had confessed to the murder of Nimbalkar at somebody's behest. (ANI)