The Mumbai Police Crime Branch arrested Pravin Lonkar on Monday in connection with the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique. Police caught Lonkar, 28, in Pune, where he had reportedly sheltered two of the arrested suspects.
Pravin Lonkar is the brother of Shubuu Lonkar, who posted on social media claiming that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was behind Siddique ‘s murder. The police are currently on the lookout for Shubuu Lonkar. Authorities are vigorously after him. Mumbai Police said Pravin played a key role in sheltering the accused.
In another development, police in the Indian state of Haryana conducted an ossification test on one of the arrested suspects, Dharmaraj Kashyap. The test confirmed that Kashyap is not a minor, contrary to claims by his lawyer. An ossification test is a medical procedure that estimates a person’s age by examining bone fusion.
After the test results, the court produced Kashyap and granted police custody until October 21. The Esplanade Court had ordered the test following arguments by Kashyap’s lawyer that he was a minor, which could impinge on the legal proceedings.
Gunmen shot him dead outside his office in Nirmal Nagar, Mumbai. Authorities took Siddique to Lilavati Hospital, but he could not survive the injuries and died on Saturday night. His family performed his last rites with full state honors at Bada Qabrastan on Sunday.
Pravin Lonkar and his brother Shubuu are said to have conspired in the murder. They allegedly recruited Dharmaraj Kashyap and Shivkumar Gautam in the plot to kill Siddique.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde condemned the murder, calling it “unfortunate and sad.” He assured the public that police would arrest all suspects involved. “We have arrested two persons—one from UP and another from Haryana. The third accused is absconding, but we will arrest him soon,” Shinde said. He added that those behind the murder, whether from the Bishnoi gang or any other underworld gang, would not be spared. He also assured people receiving threats that the state government would ensure their safety.
Mumbai Police further investigate the matter and are trying to arrest the remaining suspect.
ANI
