From Failed Army Aspirant to Wanted Absconder: Unraveling Shubham Lonkar's Journey
In a startling revelation from the ongoing investigation into the firing incident outside Bollywood director Rohit Shetty's Juhu bungalow, the spotlight has turned on Shubham Lonkar, a 32-year-old Pune resident with a complex background. Within just one hour of the Sunday shooting, a Facebook page named 'Shubham Lonkar Aarzoo Bishnoi' claimed responsibility for the attack, immediately drawing police attention to this absconding accused.
Connection to the Baba Siddique Murder Case
Lonkar's name carries significant weight in criminal investigations as he is already a wanted accused in the high-profile Baba Siddique murder case. Following Siddique's killing, Lonkar had similarly taken to social media to claim responsibility, establishing a pattern of behavior that has now resurfaced in the Rohit Shetty incident. Police records indicate that Lonkar was previously arrested by Akola police in January 2024 in a case involving illegal arms supply, where investigators discovered troubling communications between him and notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently lodged at Sabarmati prison, as well as Bishnoi's brother Anmol, believed to be overseas at that time.
The Army Dream That Turned Sour
During his interrogation by Akola police, Lonkar revealed a personal history that might explain his radicalization. He had aspired to join the Indian Army but failed the recruitment test held at Jaisalmer during 2018-19. This failure appears to have been a turning point in his life. According to police investigations, while in Jaisalmer, Lonkar met an individual known as Bajra who offered him an alternative path to 'serve the country.' This introduction eventually led him to the Bishnoi criminal syndicate, marking the beginning of his descent into organized crime.
International Arms Training and Recruitment
The police investigation has uncovered that Lonkar received specialized arms training abroad under the guidance of the Bishnoi gang. He was reportedly sent to both Nepal and Azerbaijan where he underwent weapons training before returning to his home base in Pune. There, he operated a dairy business with his brother while simultaneously engaging in criminal activities. Police evidence suggests that Lonkar began recruiting and brainwashing young individuals for shooting assignments, using persuasive rhetoric centered on religion and nationalism to manipulate vulnerable youth.
The Brainwashing Tactics Revealed
One of the shooters involved in the Baba Siddique case, Shiv Kumar Gautam, provided crucial insights during police interrogation. Gautam revealed that he worked in a shop near Lonkar's dairy and gradually became associated with Lonkar's gang. According to Gautam's statement, Lonkar was profoundly influenced by extremist interpretations of religion and nationalism. He systematically brainwashed Gautam into targeting Siddique by framing the act as a patriotic duty, convincing him that such violence would serve national interests.
This pattern of manipulation raises serious concerns about how extremist ideologies are being weaponized to recruit individuals for criminal activities. The police investigation continues to piece together Lonkar's network and activities, particularly focusing on how he transitioned from a failed Army aspirant to an alleged key figure in multiple high-profile criminal cases, including the recent attack on Rohit Shetty's residence.
