Sanjay Raut attacks Maharashtra govt over Shiv Sena (UBT) leader's killing in Thane

Shiv Sena UBT Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday criticised the Maharashtra government over the killing of party functionary Pradeep Purnekar in Thane questioning the lawandorder situation in the city and demanding action against the police administrationPurnekar a local Shiv Sena UBT leader and city division head died after unidentified persons allegedly shot and assaulted him within the jurisdiction of the Kapurbawdi police station at around 9 pm on Tuesday The incident triggered tension in the areaThe police said the motive behind the attack had not yet been established and that all possible angles including political rivalry and personal enmity were being investigated Senior Shiv Sena UBT leaders have called for the immediate arrest of those responsible and a swift investigationRaut alleges political rivalryWATCH Mumbai Maharashtra Shiv Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut says Our Shiv Sena worker Pradeep Purnekar was murdered last night and a curfew has been imposed in Thane The situation is extremely serious Five murders have taken place in Thane city in the recent pasthellip pictwittercom2wU9Lf0S9umdash ANI ANI September 30 2026Raut described Purnekar as a ldquostaunch and loyal Shiv Sainikrdquo and called his killing unfortunate He alleged that Purnekar had been involved in a political conflict with Meenakshi Shinde following an election defeat and had been raising issues involving the builder lobby and cluster developmentRaut also alleged that Purnekar had complained about a drug racket in the area and claimed that his opposition to such activities had made him a targetldquoPurnekar was engaged in a political conflict with Meenakshi Shinde following the election defeat He was fighting against the builder lobby and issues related to the cluster development scheme The Shinde faction supported a drug racket against which Purnekar had lodged complaintsrdquo Raut saidQuestions law and order in ThaneRaut also targeted Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who holds the Home portfolio over the incident He described the killing as a ldquodisgracerdquo for the state Home Department and questioned the functioning of the police administration in ThaneldquoHe was murdered just as his voice began to reach the people Fadnavis should be ashamed of this A young activist has been killed do the government and the Police Commissioner feel no shame The Police Commissioner should be dismissed The same police officer has been in charge for 12 years The Police Commissioner is acting like a domestic servant for the Guardian Minister The real culprits are members of the Shinde faction Meenakshi Shinde and her family The Home Minister has no control over Thane Thane used to be a city of litterateurs today it has become a city of criminals What is the City Police Commissioner doingmdashwaiting for orders from Nandanvanrdquo Raut addedRaut had earlier posted on X that Purnekar had been consistently raising his voice against the builder lobby and alleged drug networks in the Manorama Nagar area hellip pictwittercomMTB8U4gfAamdash Sanjay Raut rautsanjay61 September 30 2026ldquoThane has become a safe haven for criminals and drug mafias This is Devendra Fadnaviss failure and the future of Thanes citizens has been pushed into darkness Pradeep Purnekars sacrifice will not be allowed to go in vainrdquo Raut said in the postPolice probe underwayThe killing has prompted demands from Shiv Sena UBT leaders for the prompt identification and arrest of the attackers Police are examining the circumstances leading up to the assault and are probing multiple possible motives