Nagpur: Shooter Hemant Shukla, arrested by Nagpur police in connection with murder of city photographer Vinay alias Bablu Poonekar, gave fitness lessons to the actors of the film ‘RRR’. The information came to light during the police investigation. Shukla is in police custody until July 2.
Police are interrogating him thoroughly. As a gym trainer, Shukla participated in many bodybuilding competitions, through which he became acquainted with filmmakers and actors. He was called in to give lessons to the actors during the production of the film RRR. Police sources have informed that he was with these actors for about six months.
While on the run for nearly five months, shooter Shukla continuously changed his mobile phone number by purchasing SIM cards under different names. After his arrest on Wednesday for the murder of Poonekar, Sadar Police recovered six mobile phones and nine SIM cards from his possession. Police suspect that Shukla changed his number more than 20 times while on the run.
According to a police official, Shukla befriended strangers to help him acquire SIM cards and succeeded in purchasing more than 20 over the past five months. He changed his mobile number every week to avoid police tracking his location. Given Shukla’s criminal record, he was well-versed in police procedures. Often, he kept his mobile phone in flight mode.
Following the murder on February 23, Shukla immediately headed to Nagpur Railway Station and travelled to Raipur, where he met a relative before boarding a train to Bilaspur. His journey spanned Nagpur – Raipur – Bilaspur – Maihar – Satna – Delhi – Ayodhya – Sonipat – Panipat – Jaipur – Mumbai – Raipur – Bilaspur – Paudi – Kaimur – Satna – Ayodhya and Ludhiana. During this period, Shukla faced financial difficulties and travelled without tickets on trains. On one occasion, a Ticket Examiner (TTE) asked for his ticket, but he threatened the TTE.
Shukla took up various odd jobs, including working as a gym instructor in Ludhiana. However, he was arrested on his first day on the job by Nagpur police.
