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Thane Highway Blocked As Protesters Demand Arrests In Politician's Murder

Thane, Maharashtra, India · since Oct 27, 2026

Is it still on?

NOEnded on Oct 28.

Last report · checked

Summary in three lines

Why they are protesting
Supporters protested the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar and alleged police inaction against named suspects.
What they want
The immediate arrest of former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband Rajendra Shinde in connection with the murder.
What changed
Oct 29: Thane Police warned of legal action over road blockades, stating that the SIT probe into the murder is on track.
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Both sides

What protesters want

  • Arrest former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband
  • Bring those involved in Pradeep Purnekar's murder to justice

Organised by: Shiv Sena (UBT), Purnekar family and supporters

What authorities say

Police detained several protesters, deployed a lathicharge at around 3 am to clear the highway, and registered three FIRs against over 150 accused for unlawful assembly and rioting. Thane Police later warned of legal action against those involved in road blockades.135

The numbers

Only figures a source states, with who said it. Estimates often differ.

Arrests / detentions
5
Police have detained five persons and registered three FIRs3
Injuries
2
injuring protesters and two officers3

The full story

An overnight protest erupted in Thane, Maharashtra, following the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar. Hundreds of supporters and family members gathered initially outside Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's residence and the Naupada Police Station to demand the arrest of former Thane Mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband. When no immediate arrests were announced, the agitation escalated into highway blockades on Ghodbunder Road and near Manpada, where protesters burnt tyres and halted traffic for hours. Police stated that officers used a lathicharge around 3 am to disperse the crowd after some protesters hurled stones, injuring two police personnel and several agitators. Authorities registered multiple FIRs, naming over 150 individuals for rioting and unlawful assembly, while traffic returned to normal by Wednesday morning.

Timeline

  1. Thane Police warned of legal action against highway blockaders and stated the SIT murder investigation is ongoing.5

  2. Traffic on Ghodbunder Road returned to normal by Wednesday morning after a seven-hour disruption.24

  3. Police resorted to a lathicharge at around 3 am, resulting in stone-pelting, minor injuries, and five detentions.3

  4. Protesters blocked Ghodbunder Road and burnt tyres, halting traffic for hours overnight.123

  5. Supporters gathered outside Deputy CM Eknath Shinde's residence and the Naupada Police Station to demand arrests.14

Pins sit on city centres, never on gathering points

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