Pradeep Purnekar murder: Former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde denies links, says ‘dirty politics’ at play

Former Thane mayor and Shiv Sena leader Meenakshi Shinde denied any connection between herself or her family and the murder of late Shiv Sena UBT leader Pradeep PurnekarShinde alleged that she was being dragged into the case for political reasons because she was supporting Shiv Sena leader and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath ShindeSpeaking at a press conference in Thane Shinde said the police were conducting a detailed investigation and should be allowed to proceed without interferenceldquoI am ready to face questioning and will fully cooperate with the police if summonedrdquo she saidShinde alleged that ldquobaseless allegationsrdquo were being levelled against her and her husband despite according to her there being no evidence linking them to the Pradeep Purnekar murder caseShinde questions Uddhav Aaditya Thackeray over Disha Salian caseShinde questioned whether Shiv Sena UBT leaders Uddhav Thackeray and Aaditya Thackeray should also face arrest merely because as she alleged their names had surfaced in connection with the Disha Salian caseShe alleged that her political opponents were using Purnekarrsquos death for political gains and said the case should not be turned into a political issue while the investigation was underwaylsquoIs Sanjay Raut Rashmi Thackerayrsquos close aidersquoShinde also targeted Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut over his handling of the issueReferring to a recent press conference in Thane where Aaditya Thackeray was present Shinde questioned why Raut had been the primary speaker and asked whether he was ldquoRashmi Thackerayrsquos close aiderdquoShinde alleged that political criticism in connection with the murder case was being taken to an inappropriate levellsquoDo not use Purnekar familyrsquos grief for political gainsrsquoShinde said she had close ties with residents of her ward and described Purnekarrsquos murder as unfortunateShe alleged that some political leaders were attempting to provoke the Purnekar family and use their grief for political gainsldquoThis dirty politics should stop hererdquo Shinde saidNaresh Mhaske lsquoDo not politicise Purnekar murderrsquoMeanwhile Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske accused the Shiv Sena UBT of politicising Pradeep Purnekar murderMhaske said he had a personal relationship with the Purnekar family and described the killing as ldquoextremely unfortunate and tragicrdquoHe alleged that leaders of the Uddhav Thackerayled faction were using the incident for political purposes and to target Eknath ShindelsquoNo accused will be protectedrsquo MhaskeMhaske said the police investigation should be allowed to proceed and asserted that no accused would be protected if the investigation establishes their involvementldquoWhoever is found to be an accused will not be protected under any circumstances We will try to ensure justice for the Purnekar familyrdquo he saidMhaske also referred to Meenakshi Shindersquos stated willingness to face questioning and said the investigating agencies should be allowed to complete their probeMhaske alleges lsquodouble standardsrsquo over Disha Salian caseMhaske invoked the Disha Salian case while responding to criticism over names appearing in FIRsHe alleged that there was a ldquodouble standardrdquo in the way political opponents were treating names appearing in different casesMhaske claimed that Salianrsquos father had been seeking action from investigating agencies and alleged that Uddhav Thackeray and Aaditya Thackeray had been named in connection with the caseHe further alleged that evidence had been destroyed during Uddhav Thackerayrsquos tenure as chief minister The Shiv Sena MP challenged Thackeray to voluntarily face arrest and said Meenakshi Shinde would also be willing to face arrestMhaske to Sanjay Raut lsquoLet police investigatersquoMhaske urged Sanjay Raut not to politicise the Pradeep Purnekar murder caseHe alleged that Raut was attempting to ldquoheat up the atmosphererdquo by posting audio clips on social media and urged him to allow the police to conduct their investigationMhaske also appealed to those claiming to support the Purnekar family to cooperate with the police in identifying the accused rather than making political allegationslsquoIntrospect why Thane did not support yoursquoMhaske said that the Uddhav Thackerayled faction should introspect on its electoral performance in ThaneHe attributed what he described as attempts to hold Eknath Shinde responsible for incidents in the city to political rivalry and what he called frustration following electoral defeatsMhaske reiterated that in his view no accused should be protected but said political allegations should not be made before the police investigation is completeMhaske invokes Dino Morea arrestMhaske also referred to actor Dino Morearsquos arrest in the Mithi River case while responding to criticism from the Thackeray factionHe questioned whether the same demand for arrests should be made whenever a personrsquos name is mentioned or discussed in connection with a caseMhaske alleged that the Thackeray faction should examine issues concerning its own political camp before making allegations against othersMhaske raises Sapna Patkar caseMhaske also referred to the Sapna Patkar case while criticising Sanjay RautHe alleged that Raut had previously used abusive language against Patkar and questioned whether Raut would be held responsible if anything happened to her in the futureThe allegations made by both sides come as the police investigation into Pradeep Purnekarrsquos murder continues