Thane, Oct. 1 -- Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut alleged that party leader Pradeep Purnekar was "silenced" for taking on the local drug mafia, goons and the builder lobby in Thane, while demanding that those allegedly involved in the killing be held accountable.

Speaking to reporters, Raut said Purnekar was a loyal Shiv Sena worker who had been raising issues against alleged drug networks and the builder lobby.

"Seven rounds were fired at him... He was murdered and was brutally beaten. He was a very loyal person to us. He had been fighting against the local drug mafia. He stood up against the goons of the Shinde faction and fought against the builder lobby. According to us, that is why he was silenced," Raut said.

Raut further alleged t...