Thane, Oct 24 (PTI) Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal on Saturday attacked the state government over the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar, alleging that police were working to “protect the evildoers”.
He was speaking to reporters after visiting Purnekar’s grieving family in Thane.
Sena (UBT) Manpada ward chief Purnekar was killed on September 29. He was shot at and then attacked with sharp weapons.
Sapkal said the murder, carried out in a densely populated area, proves that law and order has deteriorated in Maharashtra.
He said the investigation into the crime was being steered away from the individuals named by Purnekar’s family in their statements and complaints.
“Instead of targeting the masterminds, the police are merely arresting hired hitmen. It appears the police are functioning in a manner that protects the evildoers”, he said.
Earlier, the slain leader’s son Ram Purnekar had accused former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde, who belongs to the rival Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and her husband of plotting the crime. Meenakshi Shinde has denied the allegations vehemently, terming them baseless.
Five persons have been arrested in connection with the murder. Meenakshi Shinde’s husband Rajendra Shinde has been questioned by the police in the case. PTI COR NR
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