Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Police Recover Getaway Car in Pradeep Purnekar Murder Investigation
Police found a car they believe was used after Pradeep Purnekar was killed.
They found it near a hospital in Kalamboli, in the Panvel area.
Police say Purnekar was murdered at his office on September 29.
Investigators say Pappa Shinde had borrowed the car from a friend a few days earlier.
The car was then used to help four suspects leave the area, according to police.
Police traced its route through several places, including Badlapur and Karjat.
They believe the car ran out of fuel and was left behind.
Three people have been arrested in connection with the killing.
Thane police recovered the car in Kalamboli, Panvel, on Tuesday night.
Police say the vehicle was used to help four suspects escape after Pradeep Purnekar’s murder.
Purnekar, a Shiv Sena (UBT) division chief, was killed at his office on September 29 at about 9:30 p.m.
Three suspects—Pappa Shinde, Nikhil Yadav and Nitesh Pawar—have been arrested.
Police say the car’s owner had lent it to Shinde, who allegedly failed to return it and later abandoned it after it ran out of fuel.
- Who
- Pradeep Purnekar, a Shiv Sena (UBT) division chief; police have arrested Pappa Shinde, Nikhil Yadav and Nitesh Pawar.
- What
- Police recovered a car they say was used to help suspects escape after Purnekar’s murder.
- When
- The murder occurred on September 29 at about 9:30 p.m.; police found the car on Tuesday night.
- Where
- The car was found in Kalamboli, Panvel. Police say it had travelled through Katai, Badlapur and Karjat.
- Why
- Police say the suspects abandoned the car after it ran out of fuel and they lacked money to refill it.
- Victim
- Pradeep Purnekar, Shiv Sena (UBT) division chief
- Murder date and time
- September 29, at approximately 9:30 p.m.
- Murder location
- Purnekar’s office
- Vehicle recovery location
- Road in front of a hospital in Kalamboli, Panvel
- Arrests reported
- Three: Pappa Shinde, Nikhil Yadav and Nitesh Pawar
- Reported route
- Thane, Katai, Badlapur, Karjat and Panvel
- Police explanation for abandonment
- Investigators believe the car ran out of fuel and the occupants lacked cash to refill it.