Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Pradeep Purnekar shot dead in Thane; family accuses ex-mayor Minakshi Shinde

Tension gripped Thane after the murder of Pradeep alias 'Bala' Purnekar, sub-division chief of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) in the Manpada area. Purnekar was shot at and also attacked with a sharp weapon, and was brutally killed.

The attack reportedly took place while Purnekar was in his office. The attackers were unidentified. After the incident, Purnekar's family made a direct and sensational allegation that former mayor Minakshi Shinde of the Shiv Sena Shinde faction and her husband Rajendra Shinde were behind the killing. The family has demanded that both be arrested immediately. Police are currently examining all the allegations closely.

According to information from police, two suspects have so far been taken into custody in the case. The search continues for the remaining three to four accused.

Meanwhile, angry supporters of Purnekar staged a vigorous 'rasta roko' protest at Manpada on Ghodbunder Road. They demanded that all the accused be arrested at once, before Purnekar's body was sent to J.J. Hospital in Mumbai for post-mortem. The protesters burnt tyres on the road in an attempt to stop traffic.

Police reached the spot promptly on receiving the news and removed the protesters from the road. For a while there were heated arguments and some scuffling between police and supporters.

After police and the administration intervened, the family and supporters called off the 'rasta roko' protest. However, their demand for the arrest of Minakshi Shinde and Rajendra Shinde still stands. Purnekar's body was then sent from Thane to J.J. Hospital in Mumbai for post-mortem.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Prashant Kadam said Kapurbawdi police are investigating the case swiftly. CCTV footage from the spot and surrounding areas is being scanned closely. Special teams of the Thane crime branch have been deployed to catch the absconding accused. Police are trying to establish the main reason for the murder and the role of the other accused.