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Sanjay Raut attacks Maharashtra govt over "rising gang wars", challenges CM Shinde to show his 'Singhamgiri'
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, lashed out at the Maharashtra government over the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddiqui on Monday, alleging that gang wars and underworld influence have risen in Mumbai under the current government.
Speaking to reporters, Raut also challenged Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to confront the conspirators involved in the case and prove his 'Singhamgiri.'
"I had said earlier also that under this government, gang wars and the power of the underworld in Mumbai can increase. This government also has the support of the underworld, and that underworld is being run from Gujarat," Raut said.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader also referred to the recent seizure of drugs worth Rs 5,000 crores in Gujarat.
"If Rs 5,000 crores worth of drugs are being seized, it means that drugs worth Rs 50,000 crores have already been released and spread across the country," he added.
Raut, making a veiled reference to Lawrence Bishnoi, said, "One gangster is lodged in Gujarat's Sabarmati Jail and is in the custody of Gujarat ATS, taking responsibility for the murder of Baba Siddique. This is a challenge for the Union Home Minister who is from Gujarat."
"He (CM Shinde) declared himself Singham after shooting Akshay Shinde (accused in Badlapur sexual assault case). Now show this 'Singhamgiri' here. If you have the courage and you are a man, then encounter the conspirators of Baba Siddiqui's murder case," Raut said.
Earlier in the day, Mumbai Police Crime branch arrested Pravin Lonkar from Pune in connection with Baba Siddique's Murder case.
According to Mumbai Police, Pravin is the brother of Shubuu Lonkar who posted on social media that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has taken responsibility for the murder.
Shubuu Lonkar is absconding at the moment. Police say, Pravin Lonkar gave shelter to both the arrested accused in Pune.
Meanwhile, the ossification test of Dharmaraj Kashyap, an accused in the murder case was conducted by Mumbai police, and it was confirmed that he is not a minor, officials said.
An ossification test is a medical procedure that estimates a person's age by analysing the degree of bone fusion and is commonly used for age determination.
Following the test results, Kashyap was presented before the court, which granted police custody till October 21. Mumbai's Esplanade Court had ordered the ossification test after Kashyap's lawyer claimed he was a minor.
According to officials, the arrested accused, identified as Pravin Lonkar (28), is the brother of Shubham Lonkar, who is also implicated in the conspiracy.
They allegedly enlisted Dharmaraj Kashyap and Shivkumar Gautam in the plot to kill Siddique, officials said.
NCP leader Baba Siddique was murdered after being shot outside his office in Nirmal Nagar. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds before being rushed to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday night. His last rites were performed with full state honours in Mumbai at Bada Qabrastan on Sunday.