1 hr ago
Two Held in Shiv Sena Functionary Murder Case
Pradeep Purnekar, a local Shiv Sena (UBT) worker, was attacked in his office in Thane.
The attackers reportedly fired guns and used sharp weapons.
He was taken to a hospital but died during emergency treatment.
Police have arrested one suspected attacker and detained another person.
Three other suspects are reportedly still being sought.
Purnekar’s family and party colleagues believe political rivalry may be involved.
Police are also examining personal disputes and other possible motives.
Protests were held, and the family demanded that more people be named and arrested.
Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Pradeep Purnekar was fatally attacked in Thane on Tuesday night.
Police said one suspected assailant was arrested and another person detained; three suspects remain absconding.
Masked attackers allegedly fired shots and used sharp weapons inside Purnekar’s office near Ghodbunder Road.
Police registered murder, conspiracy and common-intention charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Arms Act.
Purnekar’s family and party leaders alleged political rivalry, while police said the motive remains under investigation.
- Who
- Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Pradeep Purnekar was killed; police are investigating five alleged attackers, including Papya Shinde, Santosh Kanojia and Nikhil Yadav.
- What
- Purnekar was shot and assaulted with sharp weapons inside his office and died from his injuries.
- Where
- The attack took place within Kapurbawdi police station limits in Thane, Maharashtra, near Ghodbunder Road.
- When
- The attack occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday; police announced arrests and an investigation on Wednesday.
- Why
- The motive has not been established; police are examining alleged political rivalry, personal enmity and other conspiracy allegations.
Family and Political Critics
Police and Authorities
Possible motive
Family and Political Critics
Purnekar’s family and party colleagues alleged that political rivalry may have caused the killing, citing his opposition to drug networks and unauthorised construction.
Police and Authorities
Police said the motive was not yet known and were investigating political rivalry, personal enmity and all conspiracy allegations.
Additional accused
Family and Political Critics
Sanjay Raut and Purnekar’s family demanded that former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband be formally named and arrested.
Police and Authorities
Police said they were verifying the family’s allegations and did not announce charges against the former mayor or her husband.
Law-and-order assessment
Family and Political Critics
Opposition figures, including Sanjay Raut, Aaditya Thackeray and Manoj Pradhan, criticized the government and described the incident as evidence of deteriorating law and order.
Police and Authorities
Authorities reported arrests, registered charges and deployed nine special teams to locate the remaining suspects while the investigation continued.
Key facts
- Victim
- Pradeep Purnekar, a Shiv Sena (UBT) division chief
- Location
- Purnekar’s office in the Kapurbawdi police station area of Thane
- Attack
- Masked assailants allegedly fired four to five shots and used sharp weapons
- Police action
- One suspected assailant was arrested and another person was detained; nine special teams were deployed
- Legal charges
- Murder, common intention and criminal conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Arms Act charges
- Suspects
- Papya Shinde, Santosh Kanojia alias Talli, Nikhil Yadav alias Shooter and two unidentified individuals were named in the case
- Family demand
- The family demanded that former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband be named as accused and arrested
Quotes
Vijeta Purnekar
Wife of the slain Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Pradeep Purnekar
“In the last 15 days, three murders have taken place in Thane, including that of a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI), and women are assaulting people inside police stations. Should we rename Thane as ‘Wasseypur’? And if we call it Wasseypur, who is the ‘Ramadhir Singh’ of our city?”
theprint.in
“Don’t do anything for others anymore; do it for yourself. I don’t want politics; I have paid a huge price for it.”
theprint.in
Sources
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