Family members and party cadres have blocked the Kapurbawdi police station, refusing cremation rites until all alleged killers are arrested.
A crowd of Shiv Sena loyalists and the slain leader’s kin gathered outside Kapurbawdi police station in Thane on Friday, insisting that the final cremation rites be postponed until every suspect is in custody. The protest, which began after an autopsy at J.J. Hospital confirmed the death, quickly turned into a tense standoff as police tried to calm the angry family.
The family has made it clear they will not hand over the body for last rites unless the authorities present the alleged murderers. Their demand has forced the police to keep the remains in a secure location, delaying the traditional funeral proceedings.
Investigation Update
Police officials announced that one of the five people named in the case, a man identified as Pappa Shinde, has been taken into custody. Shinde, who reportedly knew Purnekar from earlier political interactions, was present at the office when the shooting occurred and later accompanied the wounded leader to the hospital. Records show the suspect carries a string of criminal cases dating back to 2004 and was subject to an externment order in 2014.
Chief of police Dnyaneshwar Chavan told reporters that a team of nine to ten specialized units has been deployed to track down the remaining four accused. He added that the probe will explore every possible motive – be it political rivalry, personal vendetta, financial gain or any other angle.
The protest has drawn hundreds of party workers, many holding placards that read “Justice for Pradip” and “No cremation before arrests.” The atmosphere remains charged, with police officers forming a perimeter while trying to negotiate with the demonstrators.
Local residents have expressed mixed feelings. Some sympathise with the grieving family’s demand for swift justice, while others worry that the delay could spark further unrest in a city already on edge after recent municipal elections.
The incident comes at a time when Maharashtra’s political landscape is already fragmented, with the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction navigating internal power struggles. The murder of a division chief adds a fresh layer of volatility, prompting opposition parties to call for a thorough, transparent inquiry.
Authorities have urged the public to remain calm and assured that the investigation will be exhaustive. Meanwhile, the family has kept the body at a local mortuary, refusing to move it to the cremation ground until the police present the remaining suspects.
As the night deepens, the standoff shows no sign of easing. The next steps hinge on whether the remaining accused can be located quickly, and whether the police can convince the family to proceed with the rites without further delay.
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