Baba Siddique Murder: FB post prompts Akot police to launch search for Shubham Lonkar

Akola: A Facebook post on an account by the name ‘Shubuu Lonkar Maharashtra' claiming links between Lawrence Bishnoi gang and the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique led Akot police to the house of the suspect Shubham Rameshwar Lonkar, a resident of the Akot taluka in Akola district, located in his native place Nivri Budruk village on Sunday. However, police found the house locked and vacant.
Siddique was shot outside the office of his son Zeeshan in Bandra East in Mumbai on Saturday night.Siddique was later declared dead at Leelavati Hospital.
The Facebook post mentioned that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang killed the politicians due to his links with actor Salman Khan and alleged links to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. Mumbai police have started investigation to verify the authenticity of the post, its origin and whether there is any link with the Bishnoi gang.
Shubham Lonkar was arrested on January 30, 2024, for illegal possession of firearms. ACP Anmol Mittal of the Akot division said on January 16 this year, the Akot police had registered a case under relevant sections of IPC, Arms Act and Mumbai Police Act and later arrested 10 accused. One of the accused, Shubham Lonkar, was arrested from Warje area in Pune on January 30. Akola police seized three pistols and 11 live cartridges from him.
Following Siddique's murder on Saturday night and emergence of the Facebook post, Akot police took suo motu cognisance and started calling eight of the 10 persons, who had been booked in January, to the police station for questioning. The eight persons are residents of Akot in Akola district and Anjangaon Surji in neighbouring Amravati district. "Police also reached the house of Shubham Lonkar and his brother Prvain on Saturday night but they were not at home," said ACP Mittal.
Sources said Shubham may have connections with the Bishnoi gang. Police fear he might be involved in a larger conspiracy. His previous criminal activities are being scrutinised as part of the ongoing investigation, they said.
The ACP said when cops inquired with the neighbours, it was learnt Shubham hasn't been seen in the village since June and the brothers have left Akot. "If any clues are found in the case, the Akot police will contact the Mumbai crime branch and assist in the investigation. We suspect Shubham might be hiding in Pune," said the ACP.
Sources said Akot police and the crime branch have launched an intense search for Shubham. Teams have been dispatched to Pune and other locations to nab him, they said.