The family of murdered Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar has cited an AI-assisted comparison of CCTV images to claim that Rajendra Shinde, husband of former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde, met the alleged assailants hours before the killing.The allegation comes as Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray accused Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his party of protecting those behind the murder. Five people have been arrested, and police are investigating the role of other suspects.Purnekar, the party’s Manpada ward chief, was killed at his office in Thane on September 29.His son, Ram Purnekar, held a press conference last week and released CCTV footage showing a helmeted man meeting the alleged assailants at a tea stall shortly before the murder.
Ram said he and his sister gathered footage and photographs and used AI to compare the man’s clothes and shoes with those worn by Rajendra Shinde in other images. He cited the similarities to claim that the helmeted man was Rajendra Shinde.
Police have not confirmed the identification.The family has submitted the footage and images to investigators, demanding action against Rajendra Shinde and his wife, a Shiv Sena leader. Earlier this week, Ram was detained while heading towards Eknath Shinde’s residence in Thane to protest and demand action against the couple.Purnekar’s supporters then blocked roads near Naupada police station.
Later that night, more than 300 protesters blocked Ghodbunder Road at Manpada, bringing traffic to a halt.AADITYA THACKERAY TARGETS SHINDEMeanwhile, Aaditya Thackeray met the family on Thursday and addressed a press conference, alleging that Eknath Shinde and his party were shielding the masterminds behind the killing.Meenakshi Shinde resigned from her party posts on Thursday following repeated allegations against her and her husband.Rajendra Shinde has been questioned eight times, while Meenakshi Shinde was questioned on Tuesday by the Special Investigation Team probing the murder.- Ends