Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Arrest Co-Conspirator from Pune; Bishnoi Gang 'Claims' Responsibility

Mumbai Police said they were verifying a social media post of an alleged member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang over the Siddique murder.

Mumbai: Hours after former Maharashtra minister and NCP (Ajit Pawar) leader Baba Siddique was killed, the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the murder.

Two accused persons, who were arrested in the Siddique murder case, were produced before a Mumbai court which remanded one of them till October 21. As the second accused claimed to be a minor, the court ordered a bone ossification test to determine his age. The two accused were identified as Haryana-based Gurmail Baljit Singh (23) and the second belongs to Uttar Pradesh.

The Mumbai Crime Branch has also made a third arrest from Pune on Sunday. The 66-year-old Siddique was fatally shot outside his son Zeeshan Siddique's office in Mumbai's Bandra East on Saturday night.

Viral Social Media Post

On the alleged involvement of gangsters, a Mumbai Police official stated that they discovered a viral post on social media, allegedly from a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, taking responsibility for the murder of Baba Siddique. The post claimed that Siddique was killed because of his connections with Bollywood actor Salman Khan, as well as underworld figures Anuj Thapan and Dawood Ibrahim. "We have seen the viral social media post, we are verifying its authenticity," the official said.

The post by Shubham Lonkar Maharashtra wrote, "Om, Jai Shri Ram, Jai Bharat I understand the value of life, consider wealth and the body as dust. I did only what was right, and honoured the duty of friendship. Salman Khan, we did not want this war but you made our brother lose his life. Today those praising Baba Siddique or was with Dawood under the MCOCA Act. The reason for his death was his linking of Dawood and Anuj Thapan to Bollywood, politics, and property dealings."

The writer goes on to say, "We have no enmity with anyone. However, anyone who helps Salman Khan or the Dawood gang should be prepared. If anyone gets any of our brothers killed, we will definitely respond. We never strike first. Jai Shri Ram, Jai Bharat, salute to the martyrs." Some Bishnoi gang members had been held in connection with the firing outside Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's residence in Mumbai in April this year.

Suspected co-conspirator arrested

The Mumbai Crime Branch police made a third arrest in the Baba Siddique murder case. Praveen Lonkar is arrested from Pune and he is a brother of Shubham Lonkar, who is one of the persons accused in the case. Investigation is going on whether Praveen Lonkar is a co-conspirator or mastermind, who has involved Dharmaraj Kashyap and Shivkumar Gautam along with Shubham in the assassination.

Accused produced before court

According to the Mumbai Police, two of the three shooters involved in the murder have been arrested. Identified as Gurmail Singh and Dharamraj Kashyap, the two accused were presented before the Esplanade Court in Mumbai. The third shooter identified as Shiv Kumar and a suspected fourth person, believed to be the handler are on the run.

Sources said the suspects had been monitoring Siddique for months, conducting reconnaissance of his residence and office. They were paid Rs 50,000 each in advance for the attack and the weapons had been delivered to them only days before the attack. Siddique shared a close association with Bollywood actor Salman Khan, who has repeatedly faced threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and associates.

The mortal remains of the NCP leader were buried with state honours at Bada Kabrastan in the Marine Lines area on Sunday after Namaz-E-Isha.

Suspect in Ujjain

Meanwhile, in a new twist in the Siddique murder case probe, a team of Mumbai Crime Branch reached Ujjain after the interrogation of the arrested accused revealed the name of a suspect in Ujjain. This team has been conducting search operations in various areas in Ujjain throughout the day and the local police is also cooperating in this. A team of 7 members is engaged in searching for the suspect. (With agency inputs)