Thane: The family of slain UBT functionary Pradeep Purnekar has levelled fresh allegations against Shiv Sena’s Manpada functionary Rajendra Shinde, claiming he trained one of the accused in handling and firing a firearm.At a news conference in Thane, Purnekar’s son Ram said he had obtained videos purportedly showing Shinde teaching an arrested accused to aim and operate a gun. He also claimed to possess photographs showing the accused holding a firearm with Shinde seated beside him, adding that he may share the material with the police.Ram further alleged that Shinde could be the helmet-wearing person seen in CCTV footage from the Sept 29 night his father was shot dead and urged investigators to probe this angle.“I have got videos, apparently shot near Pune, in which Rajendra is seen helping one of the accused fire a gun. The gunshot is also audible. Will the Thane police now arrest him on this basis? I have faith in the police, but it seems there is pressure on them. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured me of justice,” Ram said.The videos are undated, and the allegations have not been independently verified.Meanwhile, Shinde, who was summoned again on Wednesday by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing Purnekar’s murder, declined to speak to the media.
