THANE: The Thane Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar on Tuesday questioned Rajendra Shinde, husband of former mayor and Shiv Sena corporator Meenakshi Shinde. Officers of the Thane Police Crime Branch questioned Shinde at the Anti-Extortion Cell.
Family wants the Shindes booked
The Purnekar family has been demanding that Meenakshi Shinde and Rajendra Shinde be booked in the case. The family alleges that the couple conspired in the murder.
The family has also alleged that Shinde financed Nikhil Yadav, one of the assailants, and bore the cost of his weapons training and the purchase of the weapon.
Questioned along with the arrested accused
Police questioned Shinde in the presence of the five accused arrested in the case, to establish their roles and the motive behind the murder.
Amarsinh Jadhav, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) and head of the SIT, said that anyone involved in or connected with the case would be called for interrogation and would not be spared.
How the murder took place
Purnekar, the party’s vibhag pramukh (division chief) in Manpada, was inside his office near Ghodbunder Road on the night of September 29 when attackers walked in, opened fire and then assaulted him with a chopper. According to police, around six rounds were fired, two of which hit him. He was rushed to Infinity Hospital but could not be saved. The killing triggered protests by supporters on Ghodbunder Road.
Five arrested so far
- Pappya Shinde, a former aide of Purnekar who was present in the office during the attack, was the first to be arrested.
- Alleged shooter Nikhil Yadav and his associate Nitesh Pawar were caught near Alibag in Raigad, allegedly while trying to flee towards Goa.
- On October 9, police picked up Santosh Kanojia alias Talli, who was hiding inside a temple, and Amit Singh alias Paplu, a Mira-Bhayander resident, from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.
Police say Kanojia and Pappya Shinde planned the attack and arranged the weapons and the vehicle. The getaway car was recovered from Kalamboli in Panvel. Call records showed around 150 calls between Pappya Shinde and the other accused in the days before the murder.
23-member SIT and political row
Thane Police Commissioner Ashutosh Dumbre set up the 23-member SIT under DCP (Crime) Amarsinh Jadhav. A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act.
Purnekar’s son Ram, in his statement to police, has alleged that Meenakshi Shinde and Rajendra Shinde plotted the murder, claiming the rivalry began during the Thane Municipal Corporation elections. Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has blamed the Shinde camp, while party chief Uddhav Thackeray met the family and said the party will not rest until all those involved are brought to justice.
Further investigation is underway.