On Thursday, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Thane City police apprehended two additional suspects, including the alleged shooter, in relation to the homicide of Pradeep Purnekar. Purnekar, who served as the shakha pramukh for the Shiv Sena UBT, was fatally attacked with a knife and shot on Tuesday evening.
With the previous detention of Purnekar’s former aide and rival, Pappya Shinde, the total number of arrests in connection with this case has risen to three. Meanwhile, two other suspects remain at large.
A senior official from the SIT reported that the two recently arrested individuals, identified as Nikhil Yadav and Nitesh Pawar, were taken into custody near Raigad along the Mumbai-Goa highway.
The official stated, “There are still two more suspects at large, including one known as Santosh Kanojia, alias Talli, along with another unidentified individual wearing a helmet.” However, the official did not disclose which of the suspects was responsible for the shooting or the stabbing of the victim. “We will gain a clearer understanding of the suspects’ precise roles once we apprehend the remaining fugitives and interrogate them collectively,” the official added. The SIT has also summoned two women from Mira Road for questioning.
Initially, the first information report (FIR) was filed at the Kapurbawdi police station, but the investigation was later transferred to the Thane crime branch, resulting in the formation of an SIT led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Amar Sinh Jadhav, which includes several senior officials tasked with probing the incident.
On Thursday, Purnekar’s son provided a supplementary statement that implicated multiple individuals, including former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband, Rajendra Shinde, in the investigation. Both Shindes have denied the accusations. The police confirmed that the SIT is exploring various potential motives behind the murder.
Additionally, Ram, Purnekar’s son, urged the SIT to investigate another angle concerning a local woman who was allegedly discovered with two men in a room and subsequently handed over to the Kapurbawdi police. According to Ram, the woman was released with a warning and was later seen in proximity to Purnekar’s office.
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