On the 10th anniversary of its formation, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) suspended controversial MP Padamsinh Patil from the party’s primary membership on Wednesday, for his alleged involvement in his cousin Pawanraje Nimbalkar’s murder three years ago.

The NCP’s disciplinary action committee met in New Delhi and decided to suspend Patil, union minister Praful Patel told reporters today.

The suspension comes three days after Patil’s arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the murder.

“We are not holding him guilty. But we would like to keep a distance as Patil faces the legal process. If he proves his innocence, we will have no problem in taking him back,” Patel said.

Patil represents Osmanabad in the Lok Sabha.