In a shocking revelation, the Mumbai Police have disclosed that the attackers responsible for the assassination of former Maharashtra Minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique were paid ₹50,000 each to carry out the murder. The conspiracy, which led to the killing, was orchestrated in Pune, and the attackers were also targeting Siddique’s son, Zeeshan Siddique, a Congress MLA in Mumbai.
The three shooters, identified as Gurmel Baljit Singh, Dharmaraj Kashyap, and Shivkumar Gautam, were tasked with the murder and were provided pepper spray to immobilize their target. However, the chemical wasn’t used, as Gautam opened fire on Siddique. While Singh and Kashyap have been apprehended, Gautam remains at large, fleeing the scene immediately after the attack.
Mumbai police investigations have revealed that the shooters were given a photograph of Baba Siddique and a flex banner for identification purposes. According to a report by NDTV, the attackers meticulously tracked Siddique’s movements in the days leading up to the assassination. Using a motorcycle, they commuted from Kurla to Bandra daily to monitor Siddique’s residence, office, and other frequented locations, including places visited by his son, Zeeshan.
Additionally, the police have arrested Pravin Lonkar, after his brother Shubham Lonkar posted on social media claiming that notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi was behind the murder. The post stated that Siddique was killed due to his alleged close relationship with Bollywood actor Salman Khan and contained warnings for anyone associated with Khan and fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim.
The attackers, who initially received ₹50,000 each, were promised a larger sum after successfully executing the murder. They also purchased a motorcycle to aid in tracking Siddique’s movements. Gautam, who fired the fatal shots, fled the spot soon after the crime.
Police have launched an intensive manhunt for Gautam and Shubham Lonkar, who allegedly supplied the firearms used in the attack. So far, the authorities have recovered two pistols, 28 bullets, and four mobile phones from the arrested suspects.
This high-profile murder has raised concerns about political violence and the influence of criminal networks in Mumbai, especially with connections to gangsters like Lawrence Bishnoi. The investigation continues as police work to apprehend the remaining suspects and determine the full extent of the conspiracy behind the murder of Baba Siddique.