Mumbai, October 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Thursday alleged that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was attempting to protect former Thane Mayor Meenakshi Shinde in connection with the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar.
Sena (UBT) leaders alleged that the police had arrested only the contract killers and maintained that the alleged conspiracy behind the murder would not be fully exposed until Meenakshi Shinde and Rajendra Shinde were arrested.
“We demand that the main accused and conspirator should be arrested at the earliest. We have no idea why she is being protected…when we met the police commissioner, we sensed that the policemen are convinced about who the main accused is,” Thackeray said while addressing a press conference in Thane.
Thackeray, accompanied by Purnekar’s son Ram, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut and other Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders from Thane, addressed the media after meeting the Thane Police Commissioner.
Earlier, Thackeray had visited Purnekar’s residence to meet the slain leader’s wife.
Thackeray said the police had not made further arrests despite being provided with evidence, including CCTV footage.
“What and why are you waiting for?” he asked. “This is a political murder of which CCTV footage is available. Why are the main conspirator and masterminds not being arrested? Why is Eknath Shinde so desperate to safeguard the accused and conspirator?” he said.
Thackeray also criticised Shinde, who is the Deputy Chief Minister and guardian minister of Thane, over the detention of Ram Purnekar. Ram had reportedly gone to meet Shinde to demand action in connection with his father’s murder.
“We had come to Thane only to meet the Purnekar family and the police commissioner. But the local MP used abusive language and made a childish attempt to threaten us. Instead of facing us, they (Shinde-led Sena leaders) protested somewhere else and did not face us,” Thackeray said.
He also criticised Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, accusing him of failing to ensure justice for the Purnekar family.
“The Home Minister is busy breaking parties, cutting trees and selling Sahyadri mountain ranges instead of stopping all these things,” Thackeray alleged.
Targeting Fadnavis, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said Maharashtra had never had such a weak Home Minister.
“I want to tell those who challenged us to come to Thane that we not only came here, but we are ready to wait till we face you. Don’t boast because you are in power. It is not permanent. Meenakshi and Rajendra Shinde are the main accused in this case, and people are coming out of the streets to safeguard killers,” Raut said.
He added that the police would have to arrest both Meenakshi Shinde and Rajendra Shinde.
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