Tihar Jail Heightens Shraddha Walkar Murder Accused's Security Amid Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Threat

Last Updated:November 15, 2024, 22:28 IST

Aftab Poonawalla is currently lodged in Tihar jail for the gruesome murder of his live-in partnership Shraddha Walkar in 2022.

Aftab Poonawala is accused in the brutal murder of Shraddha Walkar and has become a target of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. (News18/File)

The Tihar Jail has heightened security around Aftab Poonawala, who is the main accused in the gruesome murder of his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar, following reports that he has become a target of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

Poonawala’s inclusion in the Lawrence Bishnoi gang’s hit list came to light after the Mumbai Police interrogated Shivakumar Gautam, the alleged main shooter in Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique’s murder, who revealed that he had discussed attacking Poonawala with his associates.

Following the revelation, the Tihar jail administration has reportedly heightened security around Jail No. 4, where Poonawala is currently lodged. However, sources within the jail said they have received no official confirmation from the Mumbai Police.

Jail authorities are reportedly on high alert, ensuring that Poonawala’s safety is prioritised while they investigate the potential threat. Aftab Poonawala was arrested in November 2022 for the grizzly murder of Shraddha Walkar, 27, by strangling her and dismembering his body into 35 parts.

The accused kept the body parts in a fridge and disposed those of at desolate places across Delhi over several days to dodge police and the public. Many of the body parts were found later in a forest near the accused’s house. Her father lodged a missing persons complaint in November 2022.

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In July, a district court in Saket had rejected Poonawala’s plea seeking a trial to be held only twice every month to give suitable time to his counsel to prepare his defence. The court said that the accused was trying to deliberately delay the trial.

The Bishnoi gang is known to operate with over 700 shooters across five states, with international connections as well, according to the Investigation Agency (NIA). Their notable targets include Bollywood actor Salman Khan, whom the gang has targeted for the 1998 Blackbuck killing, along with slain rapper Sidhu Moose Wala and right-wing leader Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi

With Bishnoi’s alleged involvement in the high-profile murder of Baba Siddique, known to be a close friend of Salman Khan, there is now fear that he could revive three decades’ worth of gang wars and underworld activity from 1970s Mumbai — linked to notorious names like Dawood Ibrahim, Chhota Rajan and Abu Salem.

(with agency inputs)

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