Rajani’s special leave petition in the Supreme Court demanding that G.N Patil and Ulhas Patil be made an accused in the case was dismissed in April.

Shantaram Gaikwad, Deputy Superintendent of Police, CID, in an affidavit filed before the Bombay High Court’s Aurangabad bench on January 30, 2006, said that he had investigated the crime taking into consideration her allegations. “However, during the course of my investigation I found no evidence or material to suggest that the political opponents of deceased Vishram Patil were in any manner involved in the conspiracy of his murder,” said his affidavit.

“I don’t blame Rajani Patil for making allegations against me. She is being misled by some local leaders,” said G N Patil, who alleged that V G Patil and Mali (who later died in custody), were involved in taking money from people to get their local schools approved by the state.

Ulhas Patil also denied the charges. “The allegations have no substance. The investigating agencies have examined the case from all possible angles. Rajani Patil is being used by some local Congress leaders to make allegations against me,” he said.

CBI officials said that hardly any progress has been made in the V G Patil murder case since the case was transferred to them barely two months ago. The agency had initially indicated to the Mumbai High Court that the case was not a fit one for a CBI inquiry but the High Court had nevertheless sought a CBI investigation.