The Thane police SIT recovered a pistol and mobile phone from a cattle shed in Raigad on Tuesday. These items relate to the September 29 murder of Shiv Sena leader Pradeep Purnekar. Deputy commissioner Amarsinh Jadhav said, "We are probing if the pistol was the same weapon used in the crime."

THANE: The Thane police special investigation team (SIT) probing the murder of slain Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar on Tuesday recovered a pistol and a mobile phone allegedly used in the shootout.

Both items, considered crucial pieces of evidence in the case, were recovered from a tabela or cattle shed in Karnala in Raigad district, based on information provided by two alleged assailants who were arrested last Friday, police officers familiar with the matter told Hindustan Times.

Deputy commissioner of police (crime) Amarsinh Jadhav, who heads the SIT, said that during interrogation, one of the arrested accused, Nitesh Pawar, revealed the location where the pistol and mobile phone were hidden.

"Accordingly, our team travelled to Raigad and recovered the items from the hideout - a stable in Karnala. We are probing if the pistol was the same weapon used in commission of the crime and will accordingly proceed with the investigation and legal process," Jadhav said.

As reported by HT earlier, Purkenar, a former corporator and vibhag pramukh (division head) of the Shiv Sena (UBT), was shot dead by four masked assailants inside his office in Thane on September 29, around 9.30pm.

Pappya Shinde, a former aide and close friend of Purnekar who was present when the attack took place, was arrested hours after the murder, as police suspected his involvement after finding that he was unhurt despite four to five bullets being fired. Last Friday, Nitesh Pawar and Nikhil Yadav, who allegedly opened fire at Purnekar, were arrested from Karnala, taking the total arrests in the case to three.

Santosh Kanaujia, who was allegedly involved in the alleged firing, and another unidentified assailant wearing a helmet are still absconding.

Purnekar's family has alleged that former mayor and Shiv Sena leader Meenakshi Shinde and her husband, Rajendra Shinde, were behind his murder. The former mayor has denied the allegations.