Pradeep Purnekar murder: Two key suspects brought to Thane from Prayagraj, to be produced in court on Monday

Pradeep Purnekar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader. File pic

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the murder of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Pradeep Purnekar has brought two key suspects to Thane after securing their transit remand from a court in Prayagraj, an official said on Sunday.

The suspects, identified as Santosh Kanojia alias Talli and Amit Singh alias Paplu, were formally arrested in Thane and handed over to the Anti-Extortion Cell (AEC), news agency PTI reported. They will be produced before a local court on Monday, where the police will seek their custody for further investigation, the official said.

With their arrests, the number of people arrested in the case has risen to five. The other accused are Subhash alias Pappya Shinde, Nikhil Yadav and Nitesh Pawar.

Purnekar, who served as the ward chief of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) in Manpada, was killed on September 29. He was shot at and attacked with a chopper, police said.

According to the police, around six rounds were fired during the attack, with two bullets hitting Purnekar. Investigators recovered three empty shell casings and one live cartridge from the crime scene. The attackers allegedly assaulted him with a chopper after firing at him.

During the investigation, the police seized a pistol from Pawar. Yadav's mobile phone and the vehicle allegedly used by the accused to flee after the attack were also impounded.

The police have yet to establish the exact motive behind the murder.

Pradeep Purnekar's family seeks CBI probe, cites fears of political interference

The latest arrests come amid demands by Purnekar's family for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the murder. The family has expressed concern over possible local political interference in the investigation and sought a fair inquiry.

On Friday, the family met visiting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including legislators Sanjay Kelkar and Niranjan Davkhare, and urged them to arrange an urgent meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. They sought assurances that the investigation would proceed without political pressure.

Purnekar was attacked outside his office. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital but succumbed to his injuries during emergency treatment.

(With PTI inputs)