India, June 20 -- Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will challenge the acquittal of all accused in the 2006 double murder case of Congress leader Pawanraje Nimbalkar and his driver Samad Kazi by filing an appeal before the Bombay High Court.

The statement came shortly after a special CBI court in Mumbai acquitted former MP Padamsinh Patil and seven other accused in the high-profile case that remained under trial for nearly 20 years. The court delivered its verdict after examining 128 witnesses and reviewing extensive documentary and forensic evidence.

Reacting to the judgment, Shinde said the state government stands with the Nimbalkar family in their pursuit of justice. He sta...