Shraddha Walker murder accused on Lawrence Bishnoi gang's hit list: Sources

Aftab Poonawala, accused of killing Shraddha Walkar, is reportedly targeted by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, as per Mumbai Police sources.

In Short

• Aftab Poonawala killed Shraddha Walker and chopped her body into 35 pieces
• Baba Siddique murder probe revealed Poonawala is on Lawrence Bishnoi's hit list
• Tihar Jail authorities increased Poonawala's security after the report

Aftab Poonawala, accused of murdering his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar in May 2022, is reportedly on the hit list of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, according to Mumbai Police sources.

The revelation of Poonawala being a target of Bishnoi's shooters emerged during investigations into the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, for which the Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility.

In light of this information, the Tihar Jail administration, where Poonawala is currently held, has reportedly heightened security around the accused. However, jail officials stated that they have not received any official communication from the Mumbai Police.

In May 2022, Aftab Poonawala murdered Shraddha Walkar, 27, by strangling her, then dismembering her body into 35 pieces in Delhi. The accused allegedly committed the crime after Shraddha pressured him into marriage. The horrific incident sent shockwaves across the country.

Poonawala reportedly stored Shraddha’s body parts in a refrigerator for nearly 20 days before disposing of them at various locations in Delhi’s Mehrauli forest. The case came to light in November 2022 when Shraddha's father filed a missing person report.

According to sources from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the Bishnoi gang has targeted several individuals as part of its criminal activities, driven by revenge and rivalry. One of their primary targets is Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, whom Bishnoi seeks to avenge for the 1998 blackbuck killing.

Others on the hit list include Shaganpreet Singh, the manager of slain Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala, who was murdered by the Bishnoi gang. Additionally, gangster Kaushal Chaudhary, currently imprisoned in Gurugram, and rival gangster Amit Dagar are also on Bishnoi’s radar as he seeks to eliminate his enemies.

The Bishnoi gang, with an extensive network of over 700 shooters across 11 states, has been likened to the criminal empire of Dawood Ibrahim. While Lawrence Bishnoi remains incarcerated in Ahmedabad's Sabarmati jail, the syndicate is now led by his brother Anmol Bishnoi and another notorious gangster, Goldy Brar.