In a significant development, Mumbai Crime Branch arrested Pravin Lonkar, the 13th suspect in the firing at filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s home. Already imprisoned for Baba Siddique’s assassination, Lonkar was produced before a MCOCA court and granted 10 days’ custody till March 16. This move signals deeper probes into a jailed conspiracy.
Pravin, sibling to prime accused Shubham Lonkar, allegedly masterminded the attack from Arthur Road Jail. Probe teams discovered three guns – one fired at Shetty’s bungalow – stashed away under his sole knowledge. He instructed Asaram Fasle to fetch them, who then passed to Swapnil Sakat for execution.
Sources indicate the Pune-based module under Pravin’s control provided logistics, including the getaway car. This revelation highlights how prison walls fail to contain criminal enterprises, blending the Shetty firing with Siddique murder threads.
Upcoming confrontations with detainees from Pune and UP promise explosive revelations. Officers are optimistic about exposing the full network, including arms supply chains and motives possibly rooted in extortion or rivalry.
The Bollywood community remains on edge post this brazen daylight attack. Enhanced security protocols are now standard for top directors. As Crime Branch digs deeper, expect more arrests and a clearer picture of Mumbai’s underworld dynamics influencing Tinseltown.