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Thane Police formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Amarsinh Jadhav to investigate the killing of Shiv Sena (UBT) local leader Pradeep Purnekar. News reports published on 2 and 3 October 2026 said three people had been arrested. Police had not publicly established a motive or the alleged roles of each suspect in the reports available by 3 October.
What happened to Pradeep Purnekar?
Contemporaneous reporting said Purnekar was attacked at his office in Thane on the night of Tuesday, 29 September 2026. He was reportedly shot and attacked with a sharp-edged weapon within the jurisdiction of Kapurbawdi police station, then died after being taken to a nearby hospital. Rediff’s 1 October report, carrying PTI reporting, described the attack and police jurisdiction.
Why was an SIT formed?
Thane Police set up an SIT to investigate the murder. PTI reported that the team had 23 members; a Hindustan Times report on 2 October described the senior police officers involved. The available reports establish the team’s formation, but do not state a specific official reason beyond investigating the killing.
PTI also reported that police seized two vehicles allegedly connected to the crime and registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Arms Act for murder and other offences. The reports reviewed did not include the FIR, so the specific sections and subsequent procedural details cannot be confirmed here.
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Who has been arrested?
Reports dated 2–3 October 2026 said three people had been arrested: Prakash alias Papya Shinde, Nikhil Yadav and Nitesh Pawar. The Indian Express reported on 2 October that Yadav and Pawar were arrested near Raigad; Hindustan Times reported the next day that three arrests had been made in total. These are arrest reports, not findings of guilt.
The Indian Express account said two other suspects were on the run at the time and that police had not clarified the individual roles of those arrested. The reports do not establish who allegedly shot or stabbed Purnekar.
What has been alleged, and what has been denied?
According to Hindustan Times and The Indian Express, Purnekar’s family named former mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband, Rajendra Shinde, in allegations concerning the killing. Meenakshi Shinde denied the accusation, and the couple denied the allegations in reporting. These claims remain allegations; the cited reports do not establish them as findings by police or a court.
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Hindustan Times quoted Meenakshi Shinde as saying: “The allegations levelled against me and my husband by the Purnekar family are baseless and have been made in haste. If they have any evidence, they should provide it before making such allegations,” she said.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Has police established a motive?
No motive had been publicly established in the reports available by 3 October 2026. Hindustan Times reported that police were investigating possible angles to identify the accused and determine the motive. A 3 October report raised a possible link to a 160-acre redevelopment project as an investigative angle; it was not a confirmed explanation for the killing. Political rivalry has also been raised in reporting, but should not be treated as an established motive.
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What is still unknown?
- The motive: Police had not confirmed why Purnekar was killed in the reporting available by 3 October.
- Each person’s alleged role: The reports did not identify who allegedly shot or stabbed him, or establish the roles of all suspects.
- Later case status: The available accounts do not establish subsequent arrests, custody or court proceedings. For a later update, check official police statements and court records, because news reports on 2–3 October are a dated account rather than a current case-status record.
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