THANE: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction leader Pradeep Purnekar was shot dead by unidentified bike-borne assailants in the Manpada-Ganesh Nagar area of Thane late on Tuesday night.
According to police, the incident took place around 9.30 pm in front of Purnekar’s office, where unidentified attackers allegedly opened fire at him before fleeing from the spot. Purnekar sustained two gunshot wounds to his chest and succumbed to his injuries, officials said. His body is being sent to JJ Hospital in Mumbai for post-mortem examination.
Following the incident, police cordoned off the area and launched an investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the shooting and identify the accused. The party workers and local residents gathered in the area following the shooting.
Security has been heightened in the area, with additional police teams and personnel from the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) deployed. Police are examining available evidence and gathering information to establish the motive behind the attack.
#WATCH | Speaking on Shiv Sena UBT leader Pradip Purnekar shot dead in the Manpada area in Thane late last night, party spokesperson Anand Dubey says, “What is happening in Maharashtra? It appears that the govt is scared of criminals in the state now. The way Pradip Purnekar was… pic.twitter.com/yiJH30cigT
— ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2026
Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey on Wednesday questioned the Maharashtra government over the state’s law and order situation following the killing of party leader Pradeep Purnekar in Thane, asking Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis whether the government was paying attention to the state.
Reacting to the killing, Dubey in a video message said, “What has happened in Maharashtra? So many criminals, so many mafias, so many killers are roaming around freely, we cannot tell you”. Referring to incidents in several cities, Dubey said, “Whether it is Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Mumbai and now in Thane, last night, our party Shiv Sena UBT’s a good leader, was shot dead.”
He questioned whether criminals still feared the state government and alleged that the incident raised questions over law and order. “Is there no fear of the government among the criminals? Has the law and order completely collapsed? Are we moving towards jungle raj?” Dubey said.
Questioning Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, he asked, “Respected Devendra Fadnavis ji, do you have attention on the state or not?”
Following the shooting, party workers and local residents gathered in the area. Police cordoned off the site and launched an investigation to identify the assailants and ascertain the motive behind the attack. Investigators are examining CCTV footage and questioning people to identify the assailants.
Multiple police teams have been deployed, and checkpoints were reportedly set up across major exits in Thane. The motive behind the killing has not yet been established, with police investigating multiple possible angles. Further details awaited. (ANI)
