Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Former Thane Mayor Denies Links to Purnekar Murder Investigation
Pradeep Purnekar was attacked in Thane and later died in a hospital.
Police say he was shot and stabbed on Tuesday night.
His son accused Meenakshi Shinde and her husband of planning the murder.
Shinde strongly denied those accusations.
She said social media videos and political claims are not proof.
Police have arrested one person and seized two vehicles.
They also created a 23-member team to investigate different possibilities.
Shinde said she is ready to cooperate with the investigation.
Meenakshi Shinde denied allegations that she and her husband plotted Pradeep Purnekar’s murder.
Purnekar’s son, Ram, accused Shinde and Rajendra of involvement in the crime.
Purnekar was shot and stabbed Tuesday night and later died in hospital.
Police arrested one person, seized two vehicles, and formed a 23-member SIT.
Shinde called for an impartial investigation and said she would cooperate fully.
- Who
- Pradeep Purnekar was killed; his son Ram made accusations against Meenakshi Shinde and Rajendra Shinde, who denied them.
- What
- Purnekar was shot and stabbed in a murder that is under police investigation.
- When
- The attack occurred Tuesday night; Shinde rejected the allegations on Friday.
- Where
- The attack occurred within the jurisdiction of Kapurbawdi police station in Thane.
- Why
- The motive has not been established; police are investigating multiple angles, including earlier complaints.
Accusations and Investigation
Denial and Due Process
Alleged involvement
Accusations and Investigation
Ram Purnekar accused Meenakshi Shinde and her husband Rajendra of plotting the murder.
Denial and Due Process
Shinde denied the allegations and said they were baseless.
Evidence
Accusations and Investigation
The victim’s son and opposition leaders raised allegations, while social media videos were cited in public discussion.
Denial and Due Process
Shinde said photographs and circulating videos, including potentially AI-generated content, are not proof of a criminal connection.
Next steps
Accusations and Investigation
Political leaders and the victim’s family have pressed authorities for action.
Denial and Due Process
Shinde urged everyone to avoid political mudslinging and allow an impartial police investigation to identify the perpetrators.
- Victim
- Pradeep Purnekar, a Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary and Thane division head
- Accused by victim’s son
- Former Thane Mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband Rajendra
- Police action
- One person arrested and two vehicles seized
- Investigation team
- A 23-member Special Investigation Team was formed
- Shinde’s position
- She called the allegations baseless and said she was not listed as an accused
- Evidence concerns
- Shinde said photographs, social media videos, and political claims do not by themselves prove involvement
- Political response
- Sanjay Raut and Aaditya Thackeray joined a protest outside Kapurbawdi police station