The Mumbai Crime Branch has filed a nearly 200-page supplementary chargesheet against Amol Gaikwad, an arrested accused in senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique murder case, officials said.
The chargesheet was submitted before a Mumbai court and includes the statements of around 30 witnesses. It also details key links between Gaikwad and absconding accused Shubham Lonkar, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the crime.
Gaikwad, a resident of Warje in Pune, is the 27th accused to be arrested in the case. Police said he was arrested from Kolhapur in August after remaining on the run for several months.
During this period, he allegedly avoided arrest by frequently changing locations, moving between Nashik, Solapur and Kolhapur.
Alleged gang links and digital communication
The supplementary chargesheet mentions Gaikwad’s alleged links with the Bishnoi gang. Crime Branch officials said that during interrogation, Gaikwad made several important disclosures.
He allegedly admitted to using dabba calling and encrypted messaging applications to remain in contact with Shubham Lonkar. These methods were reportedly used to avoid detection and location tracking by law enforcement officials.
Conspiracy period identified
According to investigators, between October 1 and October 12, 2024, Gaikwad was in regular contact with Pravin Lonkar, the brother of Shubham Lonkar.
Police believe that the detailed planning of the murder of Baba Siddique took place during this time.
Contact continued after the murder
Officials said communication between the accused briefly stopped after the murder but resumed after Shubham Lonkar fled to Canada.
Senior officers confirmed that Gaikwad continued to stay in touch with Shubham Lonkar through encrypted platforms until a few weeks before his arrest.
Search for absconding accused continues
Despite sustained efforts, investigating agencies have so far been unable to trace the whereabouts of Shubham Lonkar, police said.
Further investigation is ongoing to track the fugitive, uncover additional links in the conspiracy, and identify anyone else involved in the case, officials added.
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