02 October,2026 09:39 AM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondent
Pic/PTI
Thane police have formed a 23-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) under Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Amarsingh Jadhav to investigate the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar, officials said.
Purnekar, a local leader of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), was shot at and attacked with a sharp-edged weapon on Tuesday night in the jurisdiction of Kapurbawdi police station. He was taken to a nearby private hospital for treatment but died during emergency care.
Police have arrested one person in connection with the case and seized two vehicles allegedly used in the crime, DCP Jadhav told PTI on Thursday. The police have also formed multiple teams as part of the wider investigation.
The SIT will be headed by Jadhav, with Anti-Extortion Cell senior inspector Sailesh Salvi appointed as the investigation officer.
The team also includes senior inspector Gorakhnath Gharge of Crime Branch Unit V in Wagle Estate and senior inspector Janardhan Sonawane of the Property Cell. Crime Branch Assistant Commissioners of Police Vinay Ghorpade and Shekhar Bagde will supervise the investigation, officials said.
The formation of the SIT comes as police investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack, including the identities and roles of those allegedly involved and the possible motive.
Joint Commissioner of Police Dyaneshwar Chavan said investigators were examining all possible angles in the case.
According to police, one accused has been arrested in the case. Recent reports have identified the arrested suspect as Prakash alias Papya Shinde, described as a former associate of Purnekar. Police are also investigating the involvement of other people in the attack.
The police have also seized two vehicles allegedly connected to the crime. Investigators are examining available evidence, including the movements of the suspects and the circumstances leading up to the attack.
The killing took place at Purnekar's office in the Manpada area of Thane, according to reports. Police are investigating the sequence of events that preceded the attack and the actions of those who were present at the location.
In his statement to the police, Purnekar's son Ram accused former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband of being behind the killing, officials said.
The allegations have not been established by the investigation. The police have said that all angles are being examined as part of the probe.
The allegations have also triggered a political dispute. Meenakshi Shinde, a leader of the Shiv Sena faction in the ruling coalition in Maharashtra, has denied any involvement in the murder. She has accused political opponents of trying to use the incident for political purposes. Reports quoting her statements said she had also indicated that she was willing to cooperate with any police inquiry.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders have separately alleged that the killing was linked to political rivalry and have demanded action against those named by Purnekar's family. Those claims remain allegations and are part of the broader investigation.
(With inputs from PTI)
