Thane: Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Harshvardhan Sapkal said that the people behind the murder of Shiv Sena leader Pradeep Purnekar must be exposed. He alleged that the ongoing police investigation was clearly aimed at protecting the accused. He was speaking to the media after visiting the family members of Purnekar, who was murdered in Thane.

Sapkal described the investigation by the existing Special Investigation Team (SIT) as a mere eyewash. He demanded the formation of a new SIT headed by an IPS officer from outside Thane and called for a comprehensive investigation under the supervision of the High Court. He alleged that the investigation had gone off track from the very beginning, with evidence submitted by the family and the names of suspected individuals being ignored in an attempt to shield the key accused.

Sapkal also pointed out that Pradeep Purnekar had expressed fears for his life before the murder, yet the investigation was not pursuing that crucial angle. He urged the government to ensure justice for the family and assured them that the Congress party would stand by them during this difficult time.

During the visit, Sapkal was accompanied by Thane District Congress Committee president Rahul Pingale, Pradesh Congress general secretary Shrirang Barge, former president Vikrant Chavan, Congress taluka president Sangeeta Kotal, Seva Dal president Ravindra Koli, and other Congress office-bearers and party workers.