close
close

Another Pune leader was on the radar of the Bishnoi Gang, reveals Mumbai’s crime branch

Another Pune leader was on the radar of the Bishnoi Gang, reveals Mumbai’s crime branch

Mumbai: During the investigation into Baba Siddique’s murder, the Mumbai crime branch came to know that another prominent political leader from Pune was also on the radar of the Bishnoi gang (B gang).

Responsibility for this crime was assigned to gunmen, including Gaurav Apune, who were involved in Plan B. It was also discovered that Apune, on the pretext of visiting Ujjain’s Mahakal temple, had gone to Jharkhand to undergo firearms training.

A 9.9mm pistol found at Shivam Kohad’s residence in Pune was intended for this plot. With this exposure, the vigilance of Pune Police has increased. Authorities are investigating possible surveillance efforts by the suspects.

Accused Shubham Lonkar, the mastermind behind Siddique’s murder, allegedly planned the assassination of the Pune leader and recruited members of the Karvenagar gang, including suspects Rupesh Mohol, Karan Salve, Shivam Kohad, Gaurav Apune, Aditya Gulankar and Rafiq Sheikh, as shooters. Mohol and associates revealed during interrogation that they had trained in Jharkhand and Khadakwasla in preparation.

Before Siddique’s murder, six weapons were brought to Mumbai by associates, some of which were later transported to Pune. The Karvenagar gang used these for practice, with the aim of fine-tuning their skills. Investigators found photos of guns on Praveen Lonkar’s phone, which led them to Pune, where they seized the gun from Kohad’s residence. The search is on for 40 rounds of live ammunition.

The Karve Nagar suspects are said to have been inspired by a film about Mulshi village, with a promise of Rs 25 lakh, a car, a flat and a tour of Dubai that would fuel their participation.