Thane Crime Branch questions young woman in Purnekar murder case; no firm evidence against her yet

The investigation into the murder of Thane resident Pradeep alias Balu Purnekar appears to have reached a new turn. The Thane Crime Branch has called a young woman in for questioning. Police found during the probe that she was seen in the same locality on the day Purnekar was killed, and that is why questioning began. However, no official evidence has so far emerged to suggest she had a direct hand in the murder.

The probe has also thrown up an earlier incident. Purnekar had reportedly caught the same woman some time ago in a room with two young men, allegedly taking drugs, and handed all three over to the Kapurbawdi police. The Crime Branch is now trying to establish whether that earlier incident has any link to the present murder. For this reason, her questioning is being seen as an important part of the investigation.

Police are seeking answers to several questions. Why did the woman come near the spot of the murder? Did she have any contact with Purnekar? Did she meet anyone before or after the killing? All of this is being examined. Still, her mere presence in the area cannot be taken to mean she was involved in the crime. The way forward will be decided by the questioning and the available evidence.

Purnekar's son, Ram, had demanded that this angle be investigated separately, and police have since begun looking into it. Separately, former mayor Meenakshi Shinde had referred at a press conference to this woman having been threatened. Police are also examining the different strands of that matter.

Several possibilities are being explored about who the real mastermind behind the murder is. Police are checking whether Papya Shinde has any connection, what role an unidentified man wearing a helmet played, or whether someone else is behind it all. The Crime Branch is gathering evidence and statements from different directions. Police will take the investigation forward by putting together the information from the woman, the statements of other suspects and the available evidence.

No single person has yet been named as the final accused in the case. Questioning the woman does not mean charges have been framed against her. Her role will become clear only after the investigation. The real motive and the mastermind are also expected to emerge only once the probe is complete.