Why was Pradeep Purnekar killed? Thane Police find motive as Shiv Sena leader’s shooter held

After a man was arrested in connection with the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar, the motive behind the crime has reportedly been revealed.

Thane Joint Commissioner of Police Dnyanesh Chavan said the arrested accused had confessed that Purnekar was murdered following a dispute over political and social issues, Marathi media reports said. According to the senior officer, teams have been dispatched to track down the remaining accused, and all of them will be arrested soon.

The police claimed that there are four accused in all, including the arrested man. The accused allegedly fired five rounds at Purnekar, who was the Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) Thane divisional chief (vibhag pramukh).

Pradeep Purnekar died soon after unidentified persons assaulted and shot him within the jurisdiction of Kapurbawdi police station around 9 pm on Tuesday, triggering tension in the area. Purnekar, who was seriously injured in the firing, was immediately admitted to Infinity Hospital in the Ghodbunder Road area. However, he succumbed to his injuries.

After being alerted, a police team reached the scene to secure the area and collect forensic evidence. Investigators scanned CCTV footage near the crime scene and surrounding arterial roads to trace the perpetrators' escape routes.

All potential angles, including political rivalry and personal enmity, were being probed ahead of the arrest.