Special Correspondent
Satara: In an early morning operation on Wednesday, a special investigation team from the Income Tax Department raided the residence of prominent NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Sanjeevraje Naik Nimbalkar in Satara district. The search began at 6 a.m., with simultaneous raids reportedly conducted at properties in Pune, Mumbai, and Phaltan, including the residence of Raghunathraje Nimbalkar.
A large group of supporters gathered outside Nimbalkar’s residence, expressing their anger and protesting the raid. While the reason for the action remains unclear, the investigation team examined financial records and documents at the site.
Nimbalkar, who is the brother of Ramraje Nimbalkar, a former speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, was previously aligned with Ajit Pawar’s NCP. He later switched allegiance to Sharad Pawar’s group ahead of the assembly elections but was rumored to be rejoining Ajit Pawar’s faction before the raid took place.
The investigation reportedly centers on the financial dealings of Nimbalkar’s Govind Milk Dairy project. Income Tax officials questioned him during the search, barring anyone from entering the property while the probe was underway.
Former Phaltan MLA Deepak Chavan condemned the action, alleging that the raid was politically motivated. “This action clearly has a political motive,” Chavan asserted as he voiced support for Nimbalkar.
The investigation is ongoing, with officers scrutinizing financial transactions across multiple locations associated with Nimbalkar’s business interests.
