On February 24, 2026, Congress MLA Sajid Khan Pathan was reported to have received a death threat and an extortion demand of Rs 10 crore from an alleged associate of the Bishnoi gang. Senior leader Vijay Wadettiwar raised this issue in the Maharashtra assembly, calling for immediate security cover for Khan. The speaker urged the government to respond urgently and take necessary steps to ensure the MLA’s safety.
According to Wadettiwar, Pathan, who represents the Akola west constituency, received an international call on February 17 from a person claiming to be Shubham Lonkar with ties to the Bishnoi gang. The caller demanded Rs 10 crore and threatened to harm Khan if the money was not paid. Additionally, the caller warned that involving the police would only offer temporary protection and that the gang would target Pathan in the future.
Wadettiwar described the threat as “extremely serious” and expressed concerns about the safety of public representatives in Maharashtra. He questioned the safety of ordinary citizens if elected officials are not secure, noting that the Bishnoi gang has a history of violent incidents. Wadettiwar emphasized that Pathan has no connections to criminal activities.
[Context: Congress MLA Sajid Khan Pathan received a death threat and extortion demand from an alleged Bishnoi gang associate. Fact Check: The threat was reported in the Maharashtra assembly by senior leader Vijay Wadettiwar.]
