Two more arrested in Pradeep Purnekar murder case, police probe deepens in Thane

Thane Police have arrested two more suspects, including the alleged shooter, in connection with the killing of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar, taking the number of people in custody in the case to three, officials said.

The two suspects were identified as alleged shooter Nikhil Yadav and his associate Nitesh Pawar. According to police, they were traced through technical surveillance and arrested near Alibag in Raigad district while allegedly attempting to flee towards Goa.

Purnekar, a Shiv Sena (UBT) division chief, was shot dead in the Manpada area of Thane on Tuesday night. Police have been investigating the attack and earlier arrested his former associate Prakash alias Papya Shinde, who was present at the scene and allegedly took the injured leader to hospital.

Police had initially identified four other suspects who were allegedly involved in the attack. Investigators are continuing searches across Thane, Raigad and neighbouring areas to trace those still at large.

A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act. Investigators are questioning the arrested suspects to establish the planning and motive behind the killing and to recover the weapons allegedly used in the attack.

The murder has also triggered a political controversy in Thane. Purnekar’s son, Ram, has alleged that former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband, Rajendra Shinde, were behind the killing. The couple has denied the allegation and called for the police investigation to establish the facts. Police have also questioned the couple as part of the probe.

Thane Police have formed a special investigation team to investigate the murder, while several people have been questioned in connection with the case.

with inputs from PTI