Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Police Arrest Shooter, Accomplice in Shiv Sena UBT Leader’s Murder
Police say Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar was shot dead in Thane on Tuesday night.
They arrested two people, Nikhil Yadav and Nitesh Pawar, near Pen in Raigad.
Police say Yadav was the suspected shooter.
Another person, Papya Shinde, had already been arrested.
Two other suspects are still missing.
Police are searching in Raigad, Thane, and nearby districts.
Investigators are questioning the arrested men to learn why the killing happened and to find the weapons.
Purnekar’s son has accused Meenakshi Shinde and her husband Rajendra of planning the crime, but that allegation has not been established by the investigation.
Police arrested alleged shooter Nikhil Yadav and accomplice Nitesh Pawar near Pen in Raigad district.
The suspects are accused of shooting Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar in Thane on Tuesday night.
Police previously arrested Papya Shinde, while Santosh Kanojia, alias Talli, and another suspect remain absconding.
A case against five people was registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act.
Purnekar’s son accused former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband Rajendra of plotting the murder; police are still investigating the motive.
- Who
- Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar was killed; police arrested Nikhil Yadav and Nitesh Pawar, and had earlier arrested Papya Shinde.
- What
- A shooting murder case involving five accused was registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act.
- When
- The shooting occurred on Tuesday night; the two latest arrests were made on Friday in an early morning operation.
- Where
- The shooting occurred on Ghodbunder Road in Thane, and the two latest arrests took place near Pen in Raigad district.
- Why
- Police are questioning the suspects to establish the motive; Purnekar’s son alleges the crime was plotted by Meenakshi Shinde and Rajendra.
Police Investigation
Family Allegation
What is established about the crime
Police Investigation
Police say arrests, technical surveillance, and informant inputs have provided leads about the shooting’s execution and planning.
Family Allegation
Purnekar’s son, Ram Purnekar, has alleged that Meenakshi Shinde and her husband Rajendra plotted the murder.
Motive and responsibility
Police Investigation
Police have not yet established the motive and are questioning the arrested suspects while searching for additional accused.
Family Allegation
The family statement points to Meenakshi Shinde and Rajendra as alleged planners, but the articles do not report that this accusation has been proven.
- Victim
- Pradeep Purnekar, a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader
- Latest arrests
- Nikhil Yadav and Nitesh Pawar
- Earlier arrest
- Papya Shinde, described as a former aide of Purnekar
- Absconding suspects
- Santosh Kanojia, alias Talli, and one unidentified accused
- Case
- Registered against five people under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act
- Investigation
- Police are searching across Raigad, Thane, and neighbouring districts and seeking the weapons used
- Public reaction
- Sena (UBT) workers, family members, Aaditya Thackeray, and Sanjay Raut gathered outside Kapurbawdi police station after the killing
