Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Sena (UBT) Murder Case Spurs Claims Against Former Mayor
Pradeep Purnekar, a local Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, was attacked in his office in Thane.
Police said masked attackers fired guns and used sharp weapons.
He was taken to a hospital but died from his injuries.
One suspected attacker has been arrested and another person has been detained.
Three other suspects are reportedly still being sought.
Purnekar’s son told police that former mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband helped plan the killing.
The former mayor denied the accusation and said political opponents were using the tragedy for advantage.
Police are checking all the claims and possible reasons for the attack.
Protests were held, and Purnekar was later cremated under heavy security.
Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Pradeep Purnekar was fatally shot and attacked with sharp weapons inside his Thane office on Tuesday night.
Police arrested one suspected assailant and detained another, while three other suspects reportedly remain at large.
The case names Papya Shinde, Santosh Kanojia alias Talli, Nikhil Yadav alias Shooter and two unidentified individuals.
Purnekar’s son Ram accused former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband Rajendra of plotting the murder; police recorded his statement.
Meenakshi Shinde denied involvement, while police said they were investigating political rivalry, personal disputes, land disputes and other possible motives.
- Who
- Pradeep Purnekar, a Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary, was killed; police are investigating five named or unidentified suspected attackers. His son Ram accused former mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband Rajendra Shinde, who denied involvement.
- What
- Purnekar was shot and assaulted with sharp weapons inside his office and later died from his injuries.
- When
- The attack occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday; police recorded Ram Purnekar’s statement after protests on Wednesday and reported it on October 1.
- Where
- The attack occurred in the Ghodbunder Road area within Kapurbawdi police station limits in Thane, Maharashtra.
- Why
- The motive has not been established. Police are examining alleged political rivalry, personal and land disputes, and Purnekar’s opposition to illegal activities.
Purnekar’s Family and Political Allies
Former Mayor and Police Authorities
Alleged political role
Purnekar’s Family and Political Allies
Ram Purnekar and Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders alleged that political and personal rivalries, land disputes and Purnekar’s opposition to illegal activities led to the murder plot.
Former Mayor and Police Authorities
Meenakshi Shinde denied involvement, calling the accusations an attempt by political rivals to gain political mileage. Police said the allegations were still being investigated.
Naming additional accused
Purnekar’s Family and Political Allies
Purnekar’s family and leaders including Sanjay Raut and Aaditya Thackeray demanded that Meenakshi Shinde and Rajendra Shinde be formally named and arrested.
Former Mayor and Police Authorities
Police recorded Ram Purnekar’s statement but had not announced charges against the former mayor or her husband in the reports. Shinde said concrete evidence should determine the truth.
Law-and-order response
Purnekar’s Family and Political Allies
Opposition leaders criticized the government and described the killing and other incidents as evidence of deteriorating law and order in Thane.
Former Mayor and Police Authorities
Police said multiple local and Crime Branch teams were investigating all angles, had made one arrest and one detention, and were pursuing the remaining suspects.
- Victim
- Pradeep Purnekar, a Shiv Sena (UBT) division chief
- Attack location
- Purnekar’s office in the Ghodbunder area of Thane, within Kapurbawdi police station limits
- Police action
- One suspected assailant was arrested, another person was detained, and nine special teams were deployed
- Case provisions
- Murder, common intention and criminal conspiracy charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, plus charges under the Arms Act
- Named suspects
- Papya Shinde, Santosh Kanojia alias Talli, Nikhil Yadav alias Shooter, and two unidentified individuals
- Family allegation
- Ram Purnekar accused former mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband Rajendra of orchestrating the murder
- Response
- Meenakshi Shinde denied involvement and said political rivals were seeking political mileage