Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader Pradeep Purnekar Murdered Outside Manpada Office in Thane
Shiv Sena (UBT) division chief Pradeep, popularly known as Balu Purnekar, was shot dead and attacked with sharp weapons outside his party office in the Manpada-Manorama Nagar area of Thane on October 01, 2026. The daylight-style assassination carried out by masked assailants triggered widespread panic, protests, and severe political turmoil across the city.
Following the killing, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray visited Purnekar's grieving family, including his wife, children, and parents, to offer condolences. During the interaction, the family alleged a political conspiracy, openly accusing former Thane Mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband, Rajendra Shinde, of orchestrating a contract killing linked to political rivalries. Outside the residence, crowds of supporters chanted slogans demanding capital punishment, while Purnekar's daughter made an emotional plea, crying out, "Give justice to my father."
Addressing the family and the large gathering of supporters, Thackeray urged them to maintain their composure while pledging unwavering backing. Thackeray stated, "Whatever you do at this juncture, do it with a calm mind. Do not take any step out of emotion. Intimidation is ongoing in Thane. How long will their high-handedness continue? Now we have to give a reply. They committed treason. We are going to stand against them. We will stand firmly behind the family of Pradeep Purnekar."
The Kapurbawdi police registered a formal FIR based on a complaint filed by Purnekar's relatives, with statements formally naming Meenakshi Shinde and Rajendra Shinde within the conspiracy. Specialised crime branch teams were deployed to investigate the case under intense public and political pressure. Investigators who reviewed extensive CCTV footage confirmed that the masked attackers arrived on a scooter, executed the shooting, and fled the scene.
Police have arrested two suspects, identified as Papya Shinde and Akash Nimse. According to investigators, Papya Shinde was reportedly present during the sequence of events and had prior friction with the victim. Initial interrogations of the detained suspects are underway, while law enforcement officials have launched a manhunt for the remaining absconding accused and are analysing call records alongside local reconnaissance patterns.
Authorities have maintained a heavy police deployment throughout the Manpada and Manorama Nagar areas to contain community outrage and prevent any escalation of law-and-order issues. Senior party leaders, including MLA Aaditya Thackeray and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, also visited the Purnekar residence and the local police station to express solidarity and condemn administrative security lapses.
