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

Thane police have formed a 23member Special Investigation Team SIT under Deputy Commissioner of Police Crime Amarsingh Jadhav to investigate the murder of Shiv Sena UBT leader Pradeep Purnekar officials saidPurnekar a local leader of the Uddhav Thackerayled Shiv Sena UBT was shot at and attacked with a sharpedged 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 carePolice 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 investigation23member team to oversee murder probeThe SIT will be headed by Jadhav with AntiExtortion Cell senior inspector Sailesh Salvi appointed as the investigation officerThe 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 saidThe 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 motiveJoint Commissioner of Police Dyaneshwar Chavan said investigators were examining all possible angles in the caseOne arrested as police examine role of suspectsAccording 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 attackThe 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 attackThe killing took place at Purnekars 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 locationVictims son makes allegations against former mayorIn his statement to the police Purnekars son Ram accused former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband of being behind the killing officials saidThe allegations have not been established by the investigation The police have said that all angles are being examined as part of the probeThe 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 inquiryShiv Sena UBT leaders have separately alleged that the killing was linked to political rivalry and have demanded action against those named by Purnekars family Those claims remain allegations and are part of the broader investigationWith inputs from PTI