3 minutes of readingBombayFebruary 10, 2026 02:10 pm IST
The most recent discovery in the Mumbai Crime Branch investigation into recent dismissal at filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s Juhu residence has revealed an interesting connection with the murder of politician Baba Siddique in 2024. Last Thursday, the Anti-Extortion Cell of the Mumbai Crime Branch arrested a fifth accused in connection with the Shetty case, who is also linked to the Siddique case.
“He Bombay The Anti-Extortion Cell of Crime Branch has arrested Asaram Fasle alias Babu in connection with the shooting incident at Bollywood director Rohit Shetty’s residence. “He was responsible for supplying the weapon used in the shooting,” police said in a statement. After their arrest, the five accused were sent to six days of police custody till February 11 by Mumbai’s Esplanade Court (Killa Court). The judge cited the seriousness of the crime and a criminal conspiracy, and also noted the need for a detailed investigation and joint interrogation.
Who is Asaram Fasle?
Asaram Fasle alias Babu supplied weapons to the unidentified shooter in the shooting at Shetty’s residence on January 31. According to the investigation by the Mumbai Crime Branch as reported by ANI, Fasle was working as a garage mechanic for the Lawrence Bishnoi gang for the last four years. He joined the gang under the influence of gangster Shubham Lonkar. The Crime Branch claims that Fasle, on instructions from Lonkar, handed over the weapons to Swapnil Sakat, which were later used by the unidentified gunman in the shooting.
Who is Shubham Lonkar?
Shubham Lonkar, a close associate of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, is suspected to be the mastermind behind the Baba Siddique murder case and the Rohit Shetty sacking incident. He also allegedly provided weapons to the three assailants who shot dead Baba Siddique outside his son Zeeshan Siddique’s Bandra East office on October 12, 2024.
How are both cases linked to Lawrence Bishnoi?
Lawrence Bishnoi and his gang claimed responsibility for both attacks, against Siddique and Shetty respectively. Responsibility for Shetty’s firing incident was claimed in a social media post, as stated by the Mumbai Crime Branch in court. In January this year, the police filed a chargesheet in the Baba Siddique murder case, showing Anmol Bishnoi, brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, as a wanted accused. According to the prosecution, Anmol Bishnoi hatched a conspiracy to kill Siddique and instill fear and dominance over the crime syndicate.
Police arrested 26 people in the case and booked them under the strict Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA). They are currently in judicial custody. Earlier this month, Akashdeep Karaj Singh became the first accused in the Baba Siddique murder case to get some relief in the form of bail from the Bombay High Court. However, the Punjab resident was asked not to leave Mumbai till the trial is over.