Family of Sena UBT leader Pradeep Purnekar claims it used AI to identify killers
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 partyβs 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 manβs 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 Shindeβs residence in Thane to protest and demand action against the couple.
Purnekarβs 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 SHINDE
Meanwhile, 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
Divyesh Singh is one of the leading crime journalists in the country. A seasoned investigative journalist with experience of over 15 years in journalism covering Crime, Internal security, Defence, Central Agencies, and Rural issues, he has a number of exclusive breaks and investigative stories to his name. Presently working with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Aajtak / India Today based in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Some of his stories to recall are 'Confessions of members from radical organisation in a bomb blast case in which they had been acquitted, Fodder scam in drought affected areas of Maharashtra, Crypto currency scam worth hundreds of crores ,Financial scam targeting US citizens, Black-marketing of life saving Covid19 drugs'. Many such investigations have been appreciated by law enforcement agencies and he has been awarded and appreciated twice by the Maharashtra police for helping the agency crack two serious cases, one a financial scam worth crores and another a double murder case. His coverage in the actor Sushant Singh Rajput death case brought to light the facts in the case, while reported a series of exclusives in the Yes Bank DHFL case and Iqbal Mirchi case on India Today / Aajtak. His coverage on crime underworld and narcotics has been extensive and indepth.
