From failed Army aspirant to absconder: Who is Rohit Shetty firing accused Shubham Lonkar

The police found messages between him and gangster Lawrence Bishnoi – lodged at Sabarmati prison – and his brother Anmol, who was then believed to be out of the country. Lonkar was later released on bail and, thereafter, went absconding.

During his interrogation by the Akola police, Lonkar had said he wanted to join the Army. He, however, failed the Army recruitment test held in Jaisalmer in 2018-19.

Shubham Lonkar (in pic) failed the Army recruitment test held in Jaisalmer in 2018-19. (File Photo)

As per the police, he met a person in Jaisalmer called Bajra, who told him that if he wanted to work for the country, he could introduce him to someone who would help him. In this manner, he was introduced to the Bishnoi gang.

Later, as per the police, Lonkar was also sent to Nepal and Azerbaijan, where he received arms training by the Bishnoi gang. Lonkar then returned to his home base, Pune, where he ran a dairy with his brother and upon receiving instructions that some shooters were needed, he brainwashed youngsters.

One of the shooters in the Baba Siddique case, Shiv Kumar Gautam, had told the police during his interrogation that he was working in the shop near Lonkar’s dairy and would move around with Lonkar’s gang.

Lonkar was heavily influenced by ‘religion’ and ‘nationalism’ and brainwashed Gautam into targeting Siddique by claiming that it would be akin to a ‘patriotic act’, Gautam had told the police.