Mumbai Police are hunting for Shubham Lonkar, a key suspect in the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, who was shot dead last week in Bandra. Lonkar, who has connections to the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, had previously been questioned in connection with the April firing outside actor Salman Khan’s residence, but was released due to insufficient evidence.
Lonkar: A Key Conspirator in Siddique’s Murder
Investigators are now focusing on Lonkar, whom they believe played a significant role in orchestrating Siddique’s killing. Siddique, a three-time MLA and a prominent figure in the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was gunned down last week, sparking outrage and a massive investigation.
Police sources reveal that Lonkar, alongside his brother Pravin, has emerged as a primary conspirator in the crime. Both brothers reportedly enlisted shooters Dharamraj Kashyap and Shiv Kumar Gautam to carry out the assassination. On Sunday, a Facebook post from Lonkar’s account, which is still being verified, claimed responsibility for Siddique’s murder on behalf of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Lonkar Previously Linked to Salman Khan Case
Lonkar’s criminal ties surfaced earlier this year when he was questioned after the firing incident outside Salman Khan’s residence, Galaxy Apartments, in Mumbai’s Bandra area. At the time, Lonkar was accused of providing shelter to suspects involved in the case. However, he was let off due to a lack of concrete evidence.
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Sources say Lonkar’s name came up multiple times during interrogations related to the Khan case. His alleged connections to organized crime and involvement in providing logistical support for the suspects made him a person of interest. Despite this, authorities were unable to gather enough proof to hold him at the time.
Motive Behind Siddique’s Murder
A Facebook post allegedly authored by Lonkar reveals the motive behind Siddique’s killing. The post accuses Siddique of having ties to India’s most-wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim and claims he was close to Salman Khan.
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The post also mentions Anuj Thapan, one of the suspects in the Salman Khan firing case, who died under mysterious circumstances while in police custody. Thapan’s death, officially declared a suicide, has been questioned by his family, who claim he was tortured.
In the Facebook post, written in Hindi, Lonkar warned others connected to Khan and Dawood to “settle their accounts” (‘hisab-kitaab kar lena’), escalating the threat against the Bollywood star and his associates.
Increased Security for Salman Khan
As a result of the escalating threats, security around Salman Khan’s Bandra home and his Panvel farmhouse has been significantly increased. Mumbai Police are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the actor’s safety.
While Lonkar’s brother Pravin was apprehended in Pune on Sunday evening, Shubham remains at large. His continued evasion has heightened concerns about his potential involvement in further criminal activities orchestrated by the Bishnoi gang.
The Mumbai Police officially mentioned the Lonkar brothers in court on Monday, marking the first time authorities have publicly linked the Bishnoi gang to Siddique’s murder.
