Thane Crime Branch arrested two more suspects on October 2 in the killing of Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Pradeep Purnekar, taking the reported arrest total to three. The Times of India identified them as Nikhil Yadav and Nitesh Pawar, also known as Bhavdya. The arrests are a fresh step beyond the earlier detention and arrest reports following the September 29 attack.
PTI, citing police officials, placed the early-morning operation near Pen in Maharashtra’s Raigad district. Officers said technical surveillance and information from informants helped trace the men. Two other suspects were still being sought, and police were continuing efforts to recover weapons and establish the motive. The operation does not itself settle who planned the killing.
Marathi newspaper Dainik Prabhat independently reported the two arrests and the earlier custody of Papya Shinde. It described the investigation as being led by DCP Amarsingh Jadhav. Police allege Yadav fired at Purnekar and Pawar attacked him with a sharp weapon. Those are investigative allegations; the reports reviewed do not announce a conviction or a completed finding about either man’s responsibility.
At a separate October 2 press conference, former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde rejected allegations linking her to the killing and said she would cooperate with investigators, Loksatta reported. She argued that photographs with another person do not establish criminal involvement. Her response and the accusations surrounding the case remain distinct from the evidence police must establish.