Shubham Lonkar: The Pune Connection in Bishnoi Gang's Criminal Network
The criminal activities of Shubham Lonkar, an alleged associate of the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, have come under intense police scrutiny following multiple high-profile incidents across Maharashtra. Once operating from Pune, Lonkar's name has surfaced in connection with several serious cases that have shaken the state's law enforcement agencies.
Multiple Cases Bring Lonkar Back into Focus
Police investigations have revealed Shubham Lonkar's involvement in a series of criminal activities spanning from extortion to potential murder conspiracies. His name first emerged prominently when an FIR was registered against him at Sant Tukaram Nagar police station in Pimpri Chinchwad on January 27, 2026, for allegedly making extortion calls to businessman and film financier Sunny Waghchoure.
The case gained further momentum when Lonkar's name appeared in connection with the firing incident outside Bollywood director Rohit Shetty's residence in Mumbai's Juhu area around 12:45 AM on February 1. Within an hour of the attack, a Facebook page under the name 'Shubham Lonkar Aarzoo Bishnoi' claimed responsibility for the shooting. The Mumbai police have already arrested five individuals from Pune in this case and are actively investigating their connections with Lonkar.
The Baba Siddique Murder Connection
Shubham Lonkar is also a wanted accused in the high-profile murder case of Nationalist Congress Party leader Baba Siddique. The 66-year-old former MLA was shot dead in Mumbai on October 12, 2024. Following the killing, Lonkar allegedly posted a message on Facebook in Hindi suggesting Siddique was killed due to his alleged connections with underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim and the death of Anuj Thappan.
Thappan had reportedly died in police custody after being arrested for firing at actor Salman Khan's Bandra West residence on April 14, 2024. Although the Facebook post was deleted within minutes, its screenshot went viral on social media platforms. This digital evidence led police to focus their investigation on Lonkar, resulting in the arrest of his brother Pravin Lonkar from Pune's Warje area in October 2024. Shubham has been evading arrest since that time.
Extortion Threats to Businessman Sunny Waghchoure
The extortion case against Shubham Lonkar took a serious turn on January 25, 2026, when a person identifying himself as Lonkar contacted scrap businessman Sunny Waghchoure via WhatsApp using what appeared to be an international number. The caller allegedly instructed Waghchoure to search for him on Google, followed by a threatening message the next day demanding Rs 5 crore.
The chilling message warned Waghchoure that he would meet the same fate as Baba Siddique if the money wasn't paid. The threat specifically stated in Hindi: "You will be killed like Baba Siddiqui. Remember, you wear gold, but we will put double the amount of brass (bullets) in your body." Waghchoure, known for his social media presence with approximately 25 million Instagram followers and appearances in Bollywood films and television shows, immediately filed a police complaint.
From Dairy Business to Criminal Activities
Investigators have uncovered that Shubham Lonkar and his brother Pravin operated Lonkar Dairy at Bhalekar Wasti in Warje, which they established in 2022 while living in a rented apartment nearby. The dairy business, primarily managed by Pravin, remained operational until just before his arrest in the Baba Siddique murder case.
Police sources indicate that some shooters involved in the Siddique murder case were known to work at the Balaji Scrap Centre, located adjacent to Lonkar Dairy. This proximity has raised suspicions about the dairy serving as a front for criminal activities or a meeting point for gang members.
Criminal Background and Gang Connections
Shubham Lonkar, originally from Nevari village in Maharashtra's Akola district, has a history of criminal involvement dating back several years. He and his brother were arrested in a firearms recovery case by Akola police in 2024 and later released on bail. During that investigation, police discovered Lonkar's communications with Lawrence Bishnoi gang members through WhatsApp audio and video calls.
Interestingly, Lonkar, now approximately 32 years old, had aspirations to join the Indian Army and participated in National Cadet Corps activities in his youth. Investigators believe he first came into contact with Bishnoi gang associates during an NCC event in Rajasthan, gradually becoming an active member of the criminal syndicate around 2018-2019.
Ongoing Investigations and Police Efforts
Law enforcement agencies are currently investigating whether Shubham Lonkar has maintained direct contact with Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently incarcerated at Ahmedabad's Sabarmati Central Jail. There are suspicions that Lonkar received WhatsApp calls from Anmol Bishnoi, Lawrence's brother who was deported from the United States in November last year and is now in Tihar jail.
A senior officer from Pimpri Chinchwad police confirmed that intensive efforts are underway to trace Lonkar's current location. The investigation has revealed that Lonkar allegedly recruited individuals from Pune to work for the Bishnoi gang while operating from the city.
This case marks another instance where individuals from Pune have been linked to high-profile crimes associated with the Bishnoi gang, including the 2022 murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. The pattern suggests an expanding network of the gang's operations beyond its traditional bases.
