Mumbai: Days after the murder of former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique, Mumbai Police revealed a planned conspiracy spanning months and involving a network of individuals in the crime. The investigation has unearthed a chilling picture of the accused, their methods, and the extent of the plot.
The plot to kill the NCP leader, hatched in Pune, involved multiple visits to Siddique’s residence without any weapons to gather the information for a successful attack, news agency ANI reported. The Mumbai Crime Branch has recorded statements from over 15 individuals, including key eyewitnesses.
“According to the information received from Mumbai Crime Branch, the entire planning of Baba Siddiqui’s murder was done in Pune. Mumbai Crime Branch has so far recorded the statements of more than 15 people, including many eyewitnesses who were present at the time of the incident,” police were quoted as saying by ANI.
The alleged shooters, Gurmail Singh and Dharamraj Kashyap, both arrested shortly after the October 12 incident, were trained using YouTube videos, sources told NDTV. They received a photograph of Siddique and were specifically instructed to target him.
A web of suspects has emerged, with four individuals now under arrest. Pravin Lonkar, a co-conspirator from Pune, is believed to have played a crucial role in the plot. The latest arrest is Harishkumar Nisad, accused of providing financial and logistical support, including the delivery of Rs 2 lakh and weapons to the shooters.
Two key figures remain at large, Shivkumar Gautam, another suspected shooter, and Shubham Lonkar, Pravin’s brother, alleged to have links to jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
The investigation has revealed the accused relied heavily on social media platforms, utilising Snapchat for communication and Instagram for calls. Their planning included meticulous reconnaissance of Siddique’s residence and office for 25 days before carrying out the attack.
