23-member SIT formed to probe Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar murder

Thane police have set up a 23-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar, officials said.

Purnekar was shot at and stabbed on Tuesday night within the jurisdiction of Kapurbawdi police station. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital, where he succumbed during emergency treatment.

One person has been arrested, while two vehicles allegedly involved in the commission of the crime have been seized, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Amarsingh Jadhav told PTI on Thursday.

All angles are being probed, Joint Commissioner of Police Dyaneshwar Chavan told PTI.

In his statement to the police, the victim’s son Ram Purnekar accused Thane’s former mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband of orchestrating the crime, officials said on Thursday.

Dismissing the accusations, Meenakshi Shinde, a leader of the ruling Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, strongly denied any involvement in the crime, blaming political rivals for attempting to gain political mileage out of the tragedy.

 

The 23-member SIT under Jadhav has Anti-Extortion Cell (AEC) senior inspector Sailesh Salvi as the investigation officer. Others include senior inspector Gorakhnath Gharge (Crime Branch Unit V, Wagle Estate) and senior inspector Janardhan Sonawane (Property Cell).

Crime Branch ACPs Vinay Ghorpade and Shekhar Bagde will be overseeing the operation, officials said.

Police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act for murder and other offences.