Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Suspected After Firing at Pune Steel Trader’s Firm Following Extortion Call
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Fursungi, 23rd June 2026: A steel trader received an extortion call allegedly from a person claiming to be associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, following which unidentified assailants opened fire at his establishment in the Fursungi area on Monday night.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Gauhar Hasan, a complaint regarding an extortion threat was received at Wanwadi Police Station from Amol Rajendra Chamadai at around 7 pm on Monday. The complainant was subsequently directed to Fursungi Police Station for further legal action, as the incident fell within its jurisdiction.
Police said Chamadai had received a phone call at around 4:30 pm from a person identifying himself as Arjun Bishnoi, who allegedly demanded Rs 50 lakh and threatened him with consequences if the demand was not met.
While the complainant was present at the police station, four rounds were fired at his establishment, H Vikas Pipes and Steel Pvt. Ltd. near Mantarwadi phata, at approximately 8:10 pm.
Following the incident, Fursungi Police registered FIR No. 264/2026 and launched an investigation into the firing and extortion case.
“We are investigating the matter,” DCP Hasan said.
Police sources suspect the involvement of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang’s Pune module. Investigators are examining the possible role of Shubham Lonkar, who is considered a key accused in several high-profile cases linked to the gang.
According to police records, Lonkar is an accused in the murder case of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique and has also been linked to threats issued to Bollywood actor Salman Khan. He was previously arrested by Akola Police, who allegedly recovered five pistols from his possession.
Investigators believe Lonkar came into contact with members of the Bishnoi gang while he was in Rajasthan for army recruitment-related activities. Preliminary information suggests that he later became active in coordinating the gang’s operations in Pune by recruiting local youths, particularly from the Warje area.
Police sources further indicated that Lonkar is believed to have fled to Canada and is suspected to be operating the Bishnoi gang’s network in Pune from abroad.
Authorities are also examining possible links between this incident and other cases allegedly associated with the Lonkar group, including attacks targeting businessman Rohit Shetty, the Baba Siddique murder case, threats to Salman Khan, and the firing incident at a furniture mall in Pimpri-Chinchwad.
