Son questions role of young woman in Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar's murder in Thane
Ram Purnekar told police in a supplementary statement that a young woman played a suspicious role, while former mayor Minakshi Shinde rejected the allegations against her.
The murder of Pradeep Purnekar, a divisional head (vibhagpramukh) of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) in Thane's Manpada area, has taken a new turn. Suspicion of political enmity behind the killing had been voiced from the start. His son Ram Purnekar has now claimed, in a supplementary statement to the police, that a young woman played a suspicious role, deepening the mystery.
In his statement, Ram Purnekar described an incident a few days before the murder. According to him, a young woman from the area was found in a room with two men. On getting the news, Pradeep Purnekar reached the spot and beat up the two men severely. He then handed the woman and the two men over to the Kapurbawdi police.
Ram Purnekar claims the same woman was seen loitering suspiciously around Pradeep Purnekar's office both before and after the murder. He also said his father had taken a stand against an illegal activity and the woman had subsequently issued threats. On this basis, it has been suspected that she may have had a hand in the killing, or may be linked to a conspiracy. The family has asked the police to investigate this angle as well, with full rigour.
On the arrests, police have arrested Nikhil Yadav, described as the main shooter, and Nitesh Pawar, who attacked with a sickle-like blade (koyta), from the Mumbai-Goa highway. Both have been sent to police custody until October 8.
Ram Purnekar has also alleged that the murder stems from political enmity dating back to the Thane Municipal Corporation elections. He has made the serious allegation that former Shiv Sena mayor Minakshi Shinde and her husband Rajendra Shinde hatched a conspiracy and had the murder committed.
Minakshi Shinde, on the other hand, has rejected all the allegations at a press conference. She said Pradeep Purnekar had gone to a young woman's house and assaulted people, and that the same woman had threatened him. According to Minakshi Shinde, she is being implicated in the case out of political malice.
For now, police are investigating every aspect of the case, including the political angle. It is hoped that further investigation will bring out the real reason for the murder.
