Pune Police Uncover Bishnoi Gang's Local Recruitment in Shetty Firing Case
In a significant breakthrough, the Pune police have exposed a disturbing pattern of local recruitment by the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, following the arrest of four individuals from Dhayari and Karvenagar in connection with the firing at film director Rohit Shetty's residence. The accused have confessed to police that Shubham Lonkar, a key suspect from Karvenagar, paid them Rs40,000 to arrange the scooter used in the early Sunday morning crime.
Details of the Arrests and Confessions
The Mumbai police, with assistance from Pune authorities, arrested Swapnil Bandu Sakat (23), Siddharth Deepak Yenpure (19), Samarth Shivsharan Pomaji (19), and Aditya Gyaneshwar Gayaki (19), all residents of Dhayari and Karvenagar. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone III) Sambhaji Kadam provided critical insights into the investigation. "We helped the Mumbai police to zero in on five men, but they arrested four of them after conducting an inquiry," Kadam stated.
According to Kadam, Yenpure transported the scooter to Mumbai with another individual. The scooter was purchased from a man in Dhayari but was never formally transferred to Yenpure's name, leading to the scooter owner also being taken to Mumbai for questioning. "Yenpure met Lonkar, the prime suspect and a member of the Bishnoi gang, and the latter paid Rs40,000 to him and another person for the scooter. Lonkar made an online payment to them. The same scooter was used in the firing at Shetty's residence," Kadam elaborated.
Background of the Accused and Gang's Modus Operandi
Surprisingly, none of the arrested youths have any prior criminal records. One works as a peon at a private school, while the others are engaged in odd jobs such as selling vegetables and driving private vehicles. This highlights the gang's strategy of targeting vulnerable, non-criminal individuals for their operations.
Pune Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar emphasized the broader threat, noting, "Lonkar is using all his contacts in Pune city for the Lawrence Bishnoi gang." Kadam further revealed that Lonkar and his arrested brother previously operated a dairy in Karvenagar. "He is using his Pune contacts to get in touch with youngsters and use them in crimes in Mumbai and other cities. We are searching for Lonkar with the Mumbai police," Kadam added, underscoring the ongoing collaborative efforts to apprehend the prime suspect.
Implications and Ongoing Investigation
This case sheds light on the expanding reach of organized crime networks like the Bishnoi gang, which are increasingly exploiting local connections in cities like Pune to facilitate crimes in metropolitan areas such as Mumbai. The use of online payments and untraceable assets, like the non-transferred scooter, points to a sophisticated yet accessible method of operation that law enforcement must urgently address.
The Pune and Mumbai police continue their joint search for Shubham Lonkar, aiming to dismantle this local cell and prevent further recruitment of innocent youths into criminal activities. The investigation remains active, with authorities vigilant about the gang's potential influence in other urban centers.
