Thane, Oct 29 (PTI) Former Mayor Meenakshi Shinde quit as Shiv Sena's Thane district women's wing chief on Thursday, two

Thane, Oct 29 (PTI) Former Mayor Meenakshi Shinde quit as Shiv Sena's Thane district women's wing chief on Thursday, two

Thane, Oct 29 (PTI) Former Mayor Meenakshi Shinde quit as Shiv Sena's Thane district women's wing chief on Thursday, two

Thane, Oct 29 (PTI) Former Mayor Meenakshi Shinde quit as Shiv Sena's Thane district women's wing chief on Thursday, two days after she was questioned by police in connection with the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Pradeep Purnekar as the Opposition and the slain leader's family intensified protest seeking her arrest.

In a letter to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, the corporator said she was stepping down not out of anger, but to protect the party's prestige and safeguard the leadership from being cornered by Opposition parties over malicious allegations.

On Wednesday, Shiv Sena minister from Thane Pratap Sarnaik said Meenakshi Shinde should step down from her organisational post till the completion of the probe into the murder of Pradeep Purnekar.

The Opposition, particularly the Shiv Sena (UBT), has been stepping up heat, demanding the arrest of Meenakshi Shinde and her husband Rajendra, accusing them of being the masterminds behind the September 29 murder of Pradeep Purnekar.

The family has accused the cops of shielding the real culprits.

Meenakshi Shinde and her husband have denied any involvement in the crime.

Purnekar, the Shiv Sena (UBT) Manpada division chief, was attacked and killed inside his office by unidentified assailants. An old political dispute and rivalry linked to Thane civic polls prima facie prompted the attack, according to police.

The Thane police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested five suspects in connection with the case.

On Tuesday, Meenakshi Shinde was interrogated by the SIT.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Punjabrao Ugale said that every single video clip, photograph, and piece of evidence provided to the police was being meticulously examined and verified through scientific and technical channels.

He said the SIT wanted to firmly establish the motive behind the murder before filing a chargesheet.

Police officials said several possible angles, including rivalry over supremacy in local politics, cluster redevelopment projects and opposition to drug peddlers, are being probed.

The Thane police have said they are conducting a comprehensive, transparent and legally sound investigation into all aspects of the case, and that no individual would be shielded regardless of their stature.

The killing has triggered political tensions in the city, with the police denying permission to both the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and the ruling Mahayuti to hold protests over the incident, citing law and order concerns.

Hundreds of supporters of Pradeep Purnekar blocked Thane's arterial Ghodbunder Road and burnt tyres, demanding the arrest of Meenakshi Shinde and her husband, causing a massive traffic jam through Tuesday night.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday evening, the slain politician's son, Ram Purnekar, broke down while expressing frustration over the lack of progress in the investigation.

He said he was deeply depressed and had even contemplated self-harm.

Flanked by MVA leaders, including former MP Rajan Vichare of the Shiv Sena (UBT), the family accused the Thane police of shielding the real culprits and failing to provide satisfactory answers to their queries.

They also alleged that the police had ignored crucial digital evidence and CCTV footage submitted to them.

Highlighting that the police have already arrested suspects and recovered weapons used in the crime, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde maintained a fair and impartial investigation is underway.

"I spoke to the Thane Police Commissioner on the very first day and directed an unbiased probe without shielding anyone," he insisted.

Condemning the recent violent agitations, stone-pelting at police personnel, and road blockades that caused massive inconvenience to commuters in Thane, Eknath Shinde criticised Opposition leaders for attempting to make political capital out of a tragic family loss.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)