Shubham Lonkar had opted out of the murder of Aftab Poonawala in Delhi | Mumbai News

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Police’s investigation into the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique has revealed that Subham Lonkar, the mastermind and wanted accused in the case, had earlier allegedly planned the murder of Aftab Poonawala in Delhi, and in in fact, had visited the national capital for a recce, accompanied by his associates, for almost a month between November and December 2022. Lonkar is reportedly associated with jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.

Poonawala was arrested by Delhi Police on November 12, 2022, for allegedly killing his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar, dismembering her body and stashing it in a refrigerator. He has been held in Tihar Central Jail since his arrest.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police on Friday beefed up security at Poonawala in Tihar Central Jail after receiving calls from security agencies about a death threat against the suspects. According to police, the threats were linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

A senior police officer said: “We received an update from various security agencies that the gunmen behind Siddiqui’s killing also wanted to attack Poonawaala in jail – we are not sure of the authenticity of the threat but it is said that the gunmen are conspiring with inmates gangsters to attack Poonawala. Since he has been in Tihar Jail, we have sent updates to jail officials.”

An officer from Tihar confirmed the action and said, “Two night watchmen have been asked to check him. Security has also been beefed up to ensure that no gang wars or fights break out in the prison.”

Earlier, the information about Lonkar’s involvement came to light during a police investigation into the alleged main gunman in Siddique’s murder, Shiv Kumar Gautam, a few days ago. Gautam had revealed that the Bishnoi gang had allegedly planned an attack on Poonawala outside the Saket court in Delhi, where he was produced during police custody in the Walkar murder case. Lonkar’s plan, Shiv said, might have failed as he could not catch the gunmen.

(With inputs from HT correspondent in Delhi.)