India, Oct. 2 -- The Thane police have formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the murder of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar, even as six people, including two women, have been detained for questioning, police officers aware of the developments said.

The SIT will be headed by deputy commissioner of police Amarsinh Jadhav and comprise two assistant commissioners of police, an inspector and a sub-inspector, said Thane police commissioner Ashutosh Dumbare.

The police also questioned Shiv Sena corporator and former Thane mayor Meenakshi Shinde and her husband, Rajendra Shinde, on Thursday, after Purnekar's son, Ram, alleged that they were behind his father's murder due to a political rivalry.

When contacted, Meenakshi de...