In the high-profile murder case of former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique, Mumbai Police have identified six suspects, with three already in custody while three remain at large. Currently, a manhunt for the absconding suspects is ongoing. Reports emerged indicating that the plot to assassinate Baba Siddique was allegedly hatched within Patiala Jail.
As shared by sources with India Today, the scheme to murder Baba Siddique was allegedly concocted by associates of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang within the confines of Patiala Jail. Evidence points to Mohammad Zeeshan Akhtar as a key player in this nefarious plot. Sources suggest he masterminded the entire plan.
It is reported that on a fateful Sunday, gunmen Gurmel Singh, Dharmraj Kashyap, and Shiv Kumar opened fire on Baba Siddique. While Dharmraj and Gurmel have been apprehended, Zeeshan, Shubham Lonkar, and Shiv Kumar are still on the run. Praveen was later captured by the police. Notably, Praveen and Shubham are siblings.
How Was the Murder Conspired?
At just 21, Zeeshan had previously been arrested by Jalandhar Police in 2022 for crimes including murder and robbery. Reports suggest he crossed paths with several members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang while incarcerated in Patiala Jail, where he was contracted to execute Baba Siddique.
Upon his release on June 7th of this year, Zeeshan rendezvoused with Gurmel Singh in Kaithal, Haryana. According to police, Zeeshan orchestrated the entire operation, guiding Gurmel, Dharmraj Kashyap, and Shiv Kumar on executing the murder plot against Siddique.
At the moment of the attack on Baba Siddique, Zeeshan was the conduit of information, providing shooters with crucial updates on Siddique's whereabouts. Even logistical details down to arranging lodging for the shooters were handled by Mohammad Zeeshan.
To bring the sinister plan to fruition, the attackers conducted a four-week reconnaissance of Siddique's home and his son's office. During this period, they resided in Mumbai for 40 days, meticulously preparing for the attack.
How Were the Shooters Hired?
In the Baba Siddique murder case, accused Shiv Kumar and Dharmraj Kashyap were iron scrap dealers in Pune while the third suspect, Praveen Lonkar, worked at a dairy shop. Shivkumar and Dharmraj hail from Uttar Pradesh, and for Siddique’s assassination, they were recruited by Praveen and his brother Shubham Lonkar.
A day after Siddique's murder, Shubham Lonkar posted on social media claiming the responsibility belonged to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Arrests have been made for Gurmel Singh, Praveen Lokar, and Dharmraj Kashyap, while three others, Shiv Kumar, Mohammad Zeeshan Akhtar, and Shubham Lonkar, are still on the loose.
According to Mumbai Police, the suspects had procured pepper spray, planning to incapacitate Baba Siddique with it before opening fire.
How Was the Murder Executed?
On August 12th, during the festivities of Vijayadashami outside Baba Siddique’s office in Bandra, people were setting off fireworks. Amidst the festive chaos, at around 9:15 to 9:20 PM, Baba Siddique came out of his son's office when the attack occurred.
Surreptitiously, three individuals masked with handkerchiefs descended from a car and unleashed a volley of six bullets. Three struck Baba Siddique, and as he fell to the ground, he was rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.
Unfolding Developments in the Murder Case
On the night of October 11th, in Mumbai's Bandra East area, three individuals tragically shot NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique. Laid to rest on Sunday night with full state honors, he was buried at Mumbai's larger cemetery. Police have implicated six individuals so far, capturing two perpetrators almost immediately following the death, identified as Gurmel Baljit Singh and Dharmraj Rajesh Kashyap from Haryana's Kaithal and Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich, respectively.
In a recent development, the Mumbai crime branch brought both suspects before the magistrate court on Sunday evening. Dharmraj Kashyap endeavored to claim his juvenile status in court. However, the court remanded Gurmel into police custody until October 21st, pending verification of Dharmraj's age through bone ossification testing.
Dharmraj Kashyap Confirmed as Adult, Not Juvenile
Among the three accused in Baba Siddique's murder, Dharmraj Kashyap claimed juvenile status in court. However, a judicial mandate for bone ossification testing confirmed that Dharmraj is indeed an adult. This crucial bone test examines specific bones' structure, strength, and density to ascertain a person's age.
Residing in Gandara village, Kaisarganj, Uttar Pradesh, Dharmraj Kashyap appears to have no discernible criminal record according to SP Vrinda Shukla from Bahraich. Coming from a humble background, he migrated to Mumbai as a laborer.
