Baba Siddique murder: How gangsters are using Snapchat to evade detection
Snapchat is an instant messaging app known for sharing messages and photographs called "Snaps," which are available for a limited time before becoming inaccessible to recipients.
They are also investigating whether Anmol Bishnoi, brother of incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, communicated with the accused via Snapchat. (File)
The Mumbai police recently revealed that they discovered photographs of Baba Siddique and his son Zeeshan on the Snapchat app, which was installed on the phones of the three individuals accused in the murder of Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister.
While much of the information had been deleted, the police, which are probing the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, managed to recover some of the content.
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They are also investigating whether Anmol Bishnoi, brother of incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, communicated with the accused via Snapchat. An officer mentioned that the accused also chatted on Instagram Messenger.
What is Snapchat and why criminal gangs use the app
Snapchat is an instant messaging app known for sharing messages and photographs called “Snaps,” which are available for a limited time before becoming inaccessible to recipients. The app is particularly popular among the younger generations.
A senior Mumbai police officer explained that the Bishnoi gang uses Snapchat because the messages and photos they send to gang members get deleted after a short time, giving them a sense of security. This makes it harder for the police to access these details even if the phones are seized. However, in the Baba Siddique murder case, the shooter had saved some of the images, allowing the police to recover them.
The police officer added that it is a time-consuming process to request information from social media platforms based in the US, making Snapchat more convenient for gang members. Previously, gangsters used apps like Telegram and Signal to evade police detection.
How gangsters claim responsibility on social media and still manage to evade police
In the past, the Bishnoi gang would claim responsibility for crimes through social media posts. However, this time, a member of the gang named Shubham Lonkar posted on Facebook, took a screenshot, and then deleted the post that claimed responsibility for Siddique’s murder.
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The screenshot was then shared on other platforms, ensuring that the police couldn’t trace the original post’s IP address. A police officer said, “The gang is technically adept and constantly evolving. In the past, they have also used VPNs to evade the police.”
Mohamed Thaver is a highly specialized journalist with the Expertise and Authority required to report on complex law enforcement and legal issues. With a career dedicated to the crime beat for over a decade, his work provides readers with informed and trustworthy insights into Maharashtra's security and justice systems.
Experience & Authority
Core Focus: Has been exclusively covering the crime beat for over a decade, building deep, specialized knowledge in the field.
Geographical Authority: Currently focuses heavily on law enforcement and policy in Maharashtra, providing authoritative coverage of the state's security apparatus.
Key Beats:
Law Enforcement: Reports on the operations of the Maharashtra Police and the Mumbai Crime Branch.
Policy & Administration: Covers the Maharashtra Home Department, focusing on policy matters related to handling law and order and the evolution of the police force.
Judiciary: Has significant past experience covering the courts, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the entire criminal justice process from investigation to verdict.
Specialized Interest (Cyber & Forensics): Demonstrates Expertise in modern investigative techniques, with a keen focus on cyber crime and forensics, reporting on how these technologies assist complex crime investigations.
Content Focus: His reports revolve around police probes, the evolution of the force, and state policy, ensuring his content is highly relevant and detailed.
Credentials & Trustworthiness
Mohamed Thaver’s long-standing specialization in the crime beat—combined with his focus on technological aspects like cyber crime and his direct coverage of major institutions like the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Maharashtra Home Department—underscores his Trustworthiness and status as an expert source for detailed and reliable journalism on law and order.
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