Opposition parties in Thane, including Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), and MNS, have announced a protest march to the Police Commissionerate on October 9. This demonstration is in response to the deteriorating law and order situation following the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar. Police have made arrests in the case, and the victim's son has accused a rival Shiv Sena leader of involvement.
The Eknath Shinde faction on Wednesday defended the Election Commission's decision to recognise it as the real Shiv Sena and allot it the bow-and-arrow symbol in the Supreme Court. Senior advocate N K Kaul argued that no subsequent Shiv Sena constitution was submitted to the EC after 2011 and emphasised the importance of inner-party democracy. The hearing, which also touched upon the timing of the EC's decision and the pendency of disqualification petitions, remained inconclusive and will continue on Thursday.
The son of slain Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar has accused former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband of orchestrating his father's murder. While Shinde denies the allegations, calling them politically motivated, Thane police have arrested one suspect and detained another. The incident has sparked protests and intensified political rivalries ahead of the 2026 Thane Municipal Corporation elections.
Police in Thane are investigating the source of a costly firearm used in the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Pradeep Purnekar. Two key accused, Nikhil Yadav and Nitesh Pawar, have had their police custody extended until October 13 as authorities seek to identify the mastermind and procurement chain behind the September 29 killing.
Thane police have established a 23-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar, who was shot and stabbed. One person has been arrested, and the victim's son has accused former mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband, who deny the allegations.
A Shiv Sena youth leader, Siddhesh Abhange, was allegedly assaulted inside Kopri Police Station in Thane over a monetary dispute with women involved in the textile business. The incident caused brief tension, and police are investigating, recording statements, and registering an FIR.
Thane Police have arrested two more individuals, Santosh Kanojia and Amit Singh, from Uttar Pradesh in connection with the September 29 murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar, bringing the total arrests to five. Kanojia and Subhash Shinde are believed to have orchestrated the plot, with Singh identified as the helmet-wearing assailant.
Thane police have established a 23-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar. Purnekar was shot and stabbed on Tuesday night and later succumbed to his injuries. One arrest has been made, and two vehicles seized, with police investigating all angles under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Arms Act.
A Thane court extended the police custody of Satish alias Pappya Shinde, the main accused in the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar. Police are investigating the recovery of weapons, mobile phone records, and CCTV footage, while two more arrests have been made and prime suspects remain at large.
The Supreme Court is deliberating whether a split in the Shiv Sena could originate in the legislature party and then extend to the broader organisation and primary membership, as it hears pleas from the Uddhav Thackeray faction challenging the Election Commission's recognition of the Eknath Shinde-led faction.
The Supreme Court has questioned the amended constitution of the Shiv Sena, observing that it appeared to have made the party 'virtually a one-person structure' and raising concerns about democratic functioning within political parties.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea from the Shiv Sena (UBT) challenging Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's decision to approve the merger of six of its MPs with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction. The UBT faction argues these defections violate anti-defection laws.
Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre and three associates have been granted bail by a Thane court after being arrested for allegedly assaulting doctors and medical staff at a civic-run hospital in Dombivli. The incident, which occurred after a family was advised to shift a newborn, sparked widespread outrage and led to their arrest following a viral video and pressure from the Indian Medical Association.
Two doctors at a civic-run hospital in Thane, Maharashtra, have resigned after being brutally assaulted by a Shiv Sena corporator and his aides. The incident, which was captured on video and went viral, occurred after the doctors advised a newborn's relatives to shift the baby due to lack of NICU space. The corporator and his aides have been arrested, but the incident has highlighted severe concerns about the safety of healthcare workers.
Uddhav Thackeray, chief of Shiv Sena (UBT), has strongly refuted Union Home Minister Amit Shah's assertion that Eknath Shinde leads the sole Shiv Sena. Addressing party workers in Bhandup, Thackeray declared his faction as the original Shiv Sena, criticising the BJP for allegedly trying to dismantle his party. His remarks come amidst a rebellion by six Sena (UBT) MPs, further intensifying the political struggle for the party's legacy.
A Shiv Sena corporator, Ramesh Sukrya Mhatre, and five associates have been booked for allegedly assaulting two doctors at a civic-run hospital in Kalyan, Thane, after a family was advised to transfer a newborn due to lack of NICU space. The incident, captured on video, led to widespread outrage and threats of protests from the Indian Medical Association.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, accusing him of aligning with Congress to use infiltrators as a vote bank. Shah asserted that India is not a "dharmashala" and vowed to expel all infiltrators. He also commented on the impending split within the Sena (UBT), stating that Eknath Shinde now leads the only true Shiv Sena.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced the completion of "Operation Tiger" as six Lok Sabha members from the Shiv Sena (UBT) officially defected to the ruling Shiv Sena. This move further formalises a split in the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction, strengthening Shinde's party and marking a significant political development in Maharashtra.
The Bombay High Court has taken suo motu cognisance and stayed the bail granted by a lower court to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre, accused of assaulting doctors at a municipal hospital in Thane district, directing him to surrender by Sunday evening.
The Bombay High Court has granted bail to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre and four others accused of assaulting doctors at a municipal hospital in Thane, ordering a fast-tracked, time-bound trial and imposing strict conditions including staying outside Maharashtra until the chargesheet is filed.
The Shiv Sena-UBT is holding a crucial parliamentary party meeting in New Delhi to address a potential split by dissident MPs. A whip has been issued, making attendance mandatory, as the party aims to prevent a breakaway faction from merging with the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and initiating disqualification proceedings.
As the Shiv Sena marks 60 years, political experts highlight the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction's existential crisis and the Eknath Shinde-led group's struggle for relevance in the face of a dominant BJP, a significant shift from the party's historical 'elder brother' status in Maharashtra.
Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre and three associates have been remanded in police custody until July 13 for allegedly assaulting two doctors and medical staff at a Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation hospital, an incident captured on a viral video that sparked widespread outrage.
"Let him be inside for some more time," the Bombay high court said on Wednesday while continuing its stay to the bail granted to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre who is accused of assaulting doctors and staff at a municipal hospital in Dombivli. It also ordered preservation of the CCTV footage of the July 6 incident and the footage of Mhatre's own hospital stay after his arrest.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) has demanded the imposition of president's rule in West Bengal, citing alleged attacks on Trinamool Congress MPs and accusing the BJP government of sponsoring violence and undermining democracy.
A Shiv Sena corporator, Ramesh Mhatre, arrested for assaulting two doctors in Thane, was admitted to the ICU after complaining of chest pain. Medical professionals protested his actions, demanding security for healthcare workers, even as they provided him treatment.
Police in Thane have arrested two key suspects, including the alleged shooter, in connection with the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar. The arrests of Nikhil Yadav and Nitesh Pawar followed technical surveillance, providing crucial leads into the crime that had previously caused tensions among party workers. Investigations are ongoing to determine the motive and apprehend the remaining absconding suspects, with the victim's son accusing a former Thane mayor and her husband of involvement.
The Supreme Court has expressed strong displeasure over statements made by politicians regarding the Shiv Sena symbol row case, cautioning them about making irresponsible comments.
Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare has called for a CBI probe into the murder of party leader Pradeep Purnekar in Thane, alleging it was a contract killing and citing potential political pressure on local police. Opposition parties have also announced a protest march to the Thane police commissioner's office, while Shiv Sena MP Jyoti Waghmare accused opposition leaders of politicising the tragedy. Police have made arrests in connection with the murder.
The Supreme Court is examining the Election Commission's decision to allot the Shiv Sena's bow-and-arrow symbol to the Eknath Shinde faction. The court questioned the validity of relying primarily on legislative strength, particularly when MLAs face disqualification. Arguments from the Shinde faction defended the EC's test, while the court raised concerns about the "sentiment of the symbol" for defectors and the practicalities of assessing grassroots support. The hearing remains inconclusive.
A sessions court in Mumbai acquitted a Shiv Sena-affiliated union leader in a 2015 case of allegedly insulting a woman hospital staffer's modesty, overturning a magistrate's verdict.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Raj and Uddhav Thackeray, are organising a mass protest march in Mumbai on October 4 against the Election Commission. They accuse the EC of acting as a "branch of the ruling party" and allege "gross deception" of voters, calling for broader political and public participation.
Local Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar was shot and assaulted by unidentified assailants in Thane, Maharashtra, leading to his death during treatment. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday night, has sparked tension and concern, with police investigating potential motives like political rivalry and personal enmity. Authorities have launched a manhunt, setting up checkpoints to apprehend the suspects.
Political tensions are escalating in Uttar Pradesh as Samajwadi Party leaders strongly refute Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party chief Om Prakash Rajbhar's assertions of an impending split within the SP.
BJP MLA Sanjay Kelkar has attributed the rise in crime in Thane to the booming real estate sector, particularly redevelopment and cluster development projects. His statement follows the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar, highlighting concerns about anti-social elements emerging amidst rapid urbanisation.
Former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde has vehemently denied any involvement in the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Pradeep Purnekar, dismissing accusations made by the victim's son and opposition leaders as baseless. Shinde called for an impartial police investigation and expressed her readiness to cooperate, while also cautioning against political mudslinging. The police have formed a Special Investigation Team to probe the murder, which has also drawn criticism from Thane MP Naresh Mhaske against Sena (UBT) leaders for politicising the incident.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has accused Maharashtra FDA officials of extorting money from hotels and quick-commerce businesses by threatening licence suspensions. He has demanded an independent inquiry into these allegations, claiming that FDA offices have become "extortion hubs" and that officials are bypassing legal procedures.
The Supreme Court has stayed the Bombay High Court's order granting bail to Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre, who is accused of assaulting doctors at a Thane hospital. The apex court emphasised that the medical fraternity must not be attacked, directing Mhatre to surrender within three days.
The Supreme Court resumed hearing pleas challenging the Maharashtra Speaker's decision regarding the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena MLAs and the Election Commission's recognition of the Shinde faction as the "real" Shiv Sena. Senior advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul, representing the Shinde camp, argued that the EC has jurisdiction under Article 324 to examine a party's democratic character and organisational structure, especially when the Thackeray faction's constitution was not registered with the poll panel. He emphasised that the Shinde faction's case is based on a split within the political party, not just its legislative wing, citing cadre discontent. The hearing remains inconclusive.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra is showing signs of strain as both Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress have announced their intention to field candidates for the upcoming legislative council elections.
