Pune Film Financer Targeted in Rs 5 Crore Extortion Plot by Lawrence Bishnoi Gang
A prominent film financer from Pimpri, Pune, known locally as the "gold man" for his distinctive habit of wearing at least 3 kilograms of gold jewellery, has become the target of a serious extortion attempt by an individual claiming affiliation with the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The victim, who recently joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on January 6, has filed an official complaint with the Sant Tukaramnagar police station, leading to the registration of a formal case.
Extortion Threats and Gang Connections
According to police officials, the complainant received an initial phone call on January 25 from a person identifying himself as Shubham Lonkar, a known member of the Bishnoi gang. The caller instructed the film financer to research the gang's activities and await further communication. Lonkar is currently wanted by authorities in connection with the murder case of former MLA Baba Siddique and has previously been questioned by Mumbai police regarding the shooting incident at Bollywood actor Salman Khan's residence.
The situation escalated on January 26 when the victim received a threatening message through a mobile messaging application from an international phone number. The message explicitly demanded Rs 5 crore within five days, accompanied by violent threats referencing the gang's previous actions.
Police Investigation and Legal Action
The Sant Tukaramnagar police have registered the case under Section 308(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which specifically addresses extortion committed by instilling fear of death or grievous injury. The Pimpri Chinchwad crime branch has taken charge of the investigation, with preliminary findings suggesting the perpetrator used sophisticated technology to conceal their identity.
"Our initial investigation indicates that the caller utilized a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to mask their location while making the extortion calls and sending threatening messages," revealed a crime branch officer involved in the case. "The complainant wisely consulted with his legal counsel before approaching law enforcement, and our investigative team is actively pursuing all available leads."
Victim Profile and Business Interests
The targeted individual maintains a diverse professional portfolio that extends beyond film financing. In addition to his involvement in the entertainment industry, he operates a scrap business and recently entered political circles by joining the NCP. His distinctive public persona, characterized by wearing substantial gold jewellery worth crores, has made him a recognizable figure in Pune's business community.
The threatening message received by the complainant contained specific references to violent consequences for non-compliance, stating that failure to pay the demanded amount could result in being "shot like former MLA Siddique." This explicit connection to previous criminal activities attributed to the Bishnoi gang has heightened concerns about the seriousness of the threats.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Impact
Police authorities have emphasized that their investigation remains active and comprehensive. The use of VPN technology presents particular challenges for investigators, requiring specialized digital forensic expertise to trace the origin of the communications. The case has drawn attention to the evolving methods employed by criminal organizations to target high-profile individuals in Maharashtra's business and entertainment sectors.
This incident marks another chapter in the ongoing law enforcement efforts against the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which has been linked to multiple high-profile criminal cases across Maharashtra. The Pune police have assured the public that they are dedicating significant resources to ensure the safety of the complainant and bring the perpetrators to justice through proper legal channels.
