On Tuesday, the Mumbai Police revealed that the plan to assassinate former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique was initiated around three months ago. They also stated that the individuals involved had made multiple visits to his residence without carrying any weapons, according to ANI.
The police stated that, based on information obtained from the Mumbai Crime Branch, the comprehensive planning for the murder of Baba Siddiqui took place in Pune. To date, the Mumbai Crime Branch has documented statements from over 15 individuals, including several eyewitnesses who were present during the incident.
Baba Siddique, aged 66 and a former Congress leader who had recently affiliated himself with the Nationalist Congress Party under the leadership of Ajit Pawar, was fatally shot by three assailants in the Nirmal Nagar region of Mumbai on October 12. The incident occurred in front of the office of his son, Zeeshan Siddique, who serves as a Member of the Legislative Assembly.
Baba Siddique murder case: Four individuals apprehended in relation to the investigation
Law enforcement authorities have thus far taken four individuals into custody in connection with the ongoing investigation.
Among those arrested are Gurmail Baljit Singh (23) from Haryana and Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap (19) from Uttar Pradesh, both identified as shooters, along with Pravin Lonkar from Pune, who is described as a “co-conspirator.”
Harishkumar Balakram Nisad, aged 23 and a resident of Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh, was apprehended on Tuesday. Authorities allege that Nisad facilitated the crime by supplying both financial resources and firearms.
Additionally, another suspect, Shivkumar Gautam, also from Bahraich, along with Shubham Lonkar, the brother of the main accused, remains at large. Shubham Lonkar is reportedly linked to the incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
According to police statements, “The fourth suspect, Harish, involved in the Baba Siddiqui murder case, acted as an intermediary. The arrested individuals, Praveen and the absconding Shubham Lonkar, allegedly provided ₹2 lakh to the shooters Gurmel Singh and Dharamraj Kashyap, with the funds being channeled through Harish.”
In addition to the financial compensation, two mobile phones were supplied to the shooters. According to the police, the investigation uncovered that the suspects utilized the Snapchat application for messaging and Instagram for making calls.
The shooters, Gurmail Singh and Dharamraj Kashyap, acquired their shooting skills by viewing instructional videos on YouTube.
Furthermore, they received a photograph of Baba Siddiqui, which was identified as their target. The police reported that both the residence and office were surveilled 25 days prior to the incident. (Inputs from ANI)
