Cases registered against Lonkar for extortion calls

Akola: Akola district witnessed a security scare after two political functionaries received alleged extortion calls made in the name of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Police have formally registered cases against the caller, identified as Shubham Lonkar — an accused in former Cong MLA Baba Siddiqui's murder and believed to be Lawrence Bishnoi's henchman , and launched a technical and criminal investigation.According to police, the first complaint was lodged by Akot BJP city president Harish Tawari, who reported receiving a ₹2cr extortion call.
A couple days later, Akola West Congress MLA Sajid Khan Pathan also reported receiving an international call on Feb 17 demanding ₹10 crore. Police traced the call to California.On the basis of Tawari's complaint, a case has been registered at the Akot city police station. Police clarified that there is no mention of Akot BJP MLA Prakash Bharsakale in the FIR related to the Akot case. Akola city police too registered a case on a complaint by MLA Pathan on Feb 18. Addressing mediapersons, police spokesperson and crime branch officer Shankar Shelke said that both incidents are being probed simultaneously. "Based on the complaints from Akot and Akola, offences have been registered against the accused identified as Shubham Lonkar. Call detail records, technical data and voice samples are being examined. We are also verifying whether the caller is indeed Lonkar. Security of both leaders has been enhanced," Shelke said.He added that since the calls originated from abroad, cyber and technical agencies have been roped in to trace the digital trail, network routing and location.Police said the caller allegedly threatened Pathan with dire consequences if the money was not paid and also issued threats to his family. During the call, the accused allegedly warned that the MLA would meet the same fate as Baba Siddique, a reference that has heightened security concerns, sources said.In a parallel development, Pathan has written a formal letter to Maharashtra CM and home minister Devendra Fadnavis, stating that the present security arrangement is inadequate in view of the seriousness of the threat. In his letter, Pathan mentioned having received an international extortion call demanding ₹10 crore in the name of the Bishnoi gang and that he and his family were threatened with death if the demand was not met. He further mentioned that the State Legislature's budget session is set to begin shortly in Mumbai, for which his movement and public exposure would increase. Citing these reasons, he requested that he be provided Y-category security without delay.