Baba Siddique shot dead: Who are the killers? Is Lawrence Bishnoi gang involved? What Mumbai police have found so far

PTC News Desk: The Mumbai Police have arrested two individuals in connection with the murder of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique. The suspects have been identified as Gurmail Singh, 23, from Haryana, and Dharamraj Kashyap, 19, from Uttar Pradesh. Their arrests were made after an extensive investigation, and authorities are now searching for a third accomplice who remains at large.

Detailed investigation underway

The Mumbai Police have confirmed that the Crime Branch is handling the investigation, which is being pursued from multiple angles. The accused reportedly conducted surveillance on Siddique’s home and office for nearly two months prior to the attack.

The police are considering various motives, including a potential contract killing, business rivalry, or threats related to a slum rehabilitation project, all of which are being explored thoroughly.

Lawrence Bishnoi gang connection

There are claims that the arrested suspects may be linked to the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a criminal syndicate involved in several high-profile murders and extortion cases. According to reports, the gang’s involvement is being probed, with suggestions that the murder may have been part of a plan to assert influence in Mumbai’s underworld. Delhi Police have also deployed a special investigation team to assist Mumbai authorities in examining this angle.

Timeline of the incident

The fatal shooting took place on Saturday night in Mumbai's Bandra area, just outside the office of Siddique's son, MLA Zeeshan Siddique. Around 9:30 pm, three armed assailants ambushed Baba Siddique at Kher Nagar and shot him multiple times, critically wounding him.

Siddique was immediately rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where medical staff worked to revive him. Upon arrival, he had no pulse, no blood pressure, and had suffered extensive blood loss due to gunshot wounds to the chest. He was declared dead at 11:27 pm despite resuscitation efforts.

Legal proceedings and case registration

The Nirmal Nagar Police Station has officially registered the case under Crime Registration No. 589/2024. The charges include several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as provisions under the Arms Act and the Maharashtra Police Act. The case will be closely followed in the coming weeks as investigations unfold.

Political and public outcry

Baba Siddique's assassination has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of Maharashtra, especially with state assembly elections approaching. Opposition parties have raised serious concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation. The murder of a high-profile political figure has sparked debates about safety in the region, with critics calling out the state's inability to protect its citizens.

Baba Siddique’s body was transferred from Lilavati Hospital to Cooper Hospital early Sunday morning for a postmortem. His untimely death has left a significant impact on both political and public spheres, as investigations continue into the motives and masterminds behind the crime.