Three suspects in police custody in Purnekar murder case as probe into conspiracy venue continues

Thane police have stepped up their investigation to find out where and how the conspiracy to murder Pradeep alias Balu Purnekar, Manpada division chief of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) party, was hatched.

A court has sent suspects Santosh Kanojia alias 'Talli' and Amitsingh alias 'Paplu' to police custody till October 19. The custody of the main suspect, Subhash Shinde alias 'Pappya', has been extended by one more day.

While seeking custody, police told the court that the helmeted attacker at the time of the crime was Amitsingh alias Paplu. According to police, Talli, who is named in the FIR, has also been found to have been directly involved in the crime. Officials said the investigation is continuing and that police are also examining where the accused practised before the murder and whether they received help from anyone else.

The investigation has established that two pistols and three choppers were used in the crime. One pistol has been recovered from Nitesh Pawar alias 'Bhavadya', but the other pistol and all three choppers are yet to be seized. Police are trying to find out where the weapons were brought from, who supplied logistics and who financed the plot.

The clothes and helmets worn by the accused at the time of the attack, and their mobile phones, are also yet to be seized. The homes of both will be searched and suspicious transactions in their bank accounts will be examined.

The probe has also found that, to stay in touch with each other after the crime, the main suspect Pappya bought a mobile phone and SIM card in another man's name and gave it to Talli. Police said Pappya is misleading them and not cooperating, so he will be questioned face to face with the other accused.

According to information given by Jaynath Purnekar, all the main accused, who were arrested on September 24, had gathered together at 'Neelkanth Greens'. Police will also investigate what was actually discussed at that meeting and whether the plot to murder was hatched there.