Thane: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader Pradeep Purnekar Murder Case Sparks Political Row; Family Meets CM Devendra Fadnavis Seeking Justice

Ram Purnekar, son of slain Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar, met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday to inquire about the investigation into his father's murder. Pradeep Purnekar was fatally shot and stabbed at his office in Thane's Manpada area on September 29. So far, five individuals have been arrested in connection with the case.

During a closed-door meeting with the Chief Minister, Ram Purnekar received a promise from Fadnavis that the government would not show leniency towards the accused. However, Ram Purnekar was left questioning why former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband, Rajendra Shinde, had not been arrested. Meenakshi Shinde, a close ally of Shiv Sena chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, resigned from her position as Thane District Women's Wing (Mahila Aghadi) chief on October 29 amid growing political conflict and public scrutiny surrounding the murder case.

The Purnekar family alleges that Meenakshi Shinde and her husband masterminded Pradeep Purnekar's killing on September 29. However, Meenakshi Shinde has strongly denied any involvement and claims she has been targeted due to her support for Eknath Shinde. On October 27, tensions escalated in Thane when Ram Purnekar was detained by the police while attempting to organize a protest outside Eknath Shinde's residence. He accused authorities of shielding political heavyweights.

Following the meeting with Fadnavis, Ram Purnekar's detention on October 27 by police during a planned protest outside Eknath Shinde's residence has heightened the political climate in Thane. Thousands attended a candlelight march in Manpada to demand justice for the Purnekar family, with all-party joint demonstrations planned for October 31 to hold those responsible accountable.