Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Thane Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader Killing Triggers Protests, Probe
Pradeep Purnekar, a local leader from the Shiv Sena (UBT) party, was killed in Thane on Tuesday night.
He was attacked near his office in the Manpada-Manorama Nagar area.
Reports said the attackers used guns and sharp weapons.
Police have arrested two suspects and are looking for several more.
The police have not yet confirmed why the attack happened.
Purnekar’s family and Sanjay Raut accused people connected with the rival Shinde faction.
Those accusations have not been established as facts.
Supporters protested and demanded a complete investigation.
Police are examining political, personal and financial possibilities.
Pradeep Purnekar, a Shiv Sena (UBT) divisional head, was shot dead late Tuesday in Thane’s Manpada-Manorama Nagar area.
Reports said masked attackers arrived on a two-wheeler, fired multiple rounds and used sharp weapons; accounts described the attack as occurring inside or outside his office.
Police said two suspects were arrested, three to four others were being sought, and the motive remained unclear.
Purnekar’s family and Sanjay Raut alleged that former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde, her husband Rajendra Shinde and others were involved.
Supporters and family members protested outside Kapurbawdi Police Station, while police investigated political rivalry, personal enmity and financial motives.
- Who
- Pradeep Purnekar, a Shiv Sena (UBT) divisional head, was killed; police arrested two suspects and are seeking additional accused.
- What
- Purnekar was fatally attacked with firearms and sharp weapons, prompting protests and allegations of a political conspiracy.
- When
- Tuesday night; the reports do not provide a specific date.
- Where
- The Manpada-Manorama Nagar area of Thane, Maharashtra, near Purnekar’s office.
- Why
- The motive has not been established; police are examining political rivalry, personal enmity and financial motives.
Political-Conspiracy Allegations
Police Investigation
Who was responsible
Political-Conspiracy Allegations
Purnekar’s family and Sanjay Raut alleged that Meenakshi Shinde, Rajendra Shinde and people linked to the Shinde faction were involved.
Police Investigation
Police had arrested two suspects but had not publicly established the alleged political links or identified the final set of perpetrators.
Motive
Political-Conspiracy Allegations
Raut and the family linked the killing to Purnekar’s political rivalry and his opposition to alleged builder-lobby and drug-network activity.
Police Investigation
Police said the exact motive remained unclear and were investigating political rivalry, personal enmity and financial motives.
Government accountability
Political-Conspiracy Allegations
Sanjay Raut and Aaditya Thackeray criticized the state’s law-and-order situation, while Raut demanded Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s resignation.
Police Investigation
Authorities said specialized police teams were investigating the case, pursuing additional suspects and reviewing CCTV footage.
- Victim
- Pradeep Purnekar, a Shiv Sena (UBT) divisional head
- Location
- Manpada-Manorama Nagar, Thane
- Attack
- Reports described gunfire and an assault with sharp weapons by masked assailants
- Arrests
- Two suspects had been arrested
- Search
- Police were looking for another three to four accused
- Allegations
- Purnekar’s family and Sanjay Raut accused Meenakshi Shinde, Rajendra Shinde and others
- Investigation
- Police were examining political, personal and financial motives and reviewing CCTV footage
