THANE: The Thane police have formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar, even as six people, including two women, have been detained for questioning, police officers aware of the developments said.
When contacted, Meenakshi denied the allegations. “I am not in the city and have neither visited the police nor received any notice to record my statement. The allegations levelled against me and my husband by the Purnekar family are baseless and have been made in haste. Five people have been booked so far—Papya Shinde, Santosh Kanaujiya, Nitesh Pawar, Nikhil Yadav, and one unidentified person. Only one arrest has been made so far—Prakash alias Papya Shinde, a former aide and close friend of Purnekar. Investigators, however, suspected his involvement after finding that he was unhurt despite four to five rounds being fired.
Pradeep Purnekar, a vibhag pramukh (division head) of the Shiv Sena (UBT), was shot and stabbed to death inside his office in the Manpada area of Thane on September 29. The police also questioned Shiv Sena corporator and former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband, Rajendra Shinde, on Thursday, after Purnekar’s son, Ram, alleged that they were behind his father’s murder due to a political rivalry.
The SIT will be headed by deputy commissioner of police Amarsinh Jadhav and comprise two assistant commissioners of police, an inspector and a sub-inspector, said Thane police commissioner Ashutosh Dumbare. If they have any evidence, they should provide it before making such allegations,” she said. Papya was present in Purnekar’s office when the attack took place and took the injured leader to hospital, according to police.
Ram has also alleged that Papya conducted a recce of his father’s office a day before the attack.
Santosh Shirke, a supporter of Purnekar, said Papya was Purnekar’s childhood friend and had been like a family member to the Purnekars. “He, however, joined the rival Meenakshi Shinde group before the TMC elections held in January this year,” Shirke said.
On Thursday, police said that six other people, including two women, have been detained for questioning. Four of the five men booked in the case are still absconding, although the police have seized two two-wheelers used by the assailants to flee after the attack.
