New Delhi: In a breakthrough, the Mumbai Police in a joint operation with Punjab Police arrested a man who allegedly provided money and logistical support to the shooters in the high-profile murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique. Siddique was shot near his son’s office in Mumbai on October 12. The Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the murder.
The accused, identified as Sujeet Sushil Singh, is a resident of Mumbai.
According to police sources, Sujeet was involved in the murder conspiracy and was informed about the plan to kill Baba Siddique three days in advance by Nitin Gautan Sapre, another accused. He also provided logistical assistance.
He has been handed over to Mumbai Police for further investigation.
Big Crackdown By Delhi Police On Lawrence Bishnoi Gang
The Delhi Police has arrested at least seven shooters who were planning to target nephew of a former MLA from Rajasthan.
In a separate but related incident, the Delhi Police arrested a member of Lawrence Bishnoi and Kala Jathedi gang, and recovered arms and ammunition from his possession, officials said.
Though the police have not found their links in Siddique's murder case as of now, the accused were being further interrogated, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Pratiksha Godara said.
Godara said the shooters were planning to target Sunil Pahalwan, a resident of Ganganagar in Rajasthan; and Raj Kumar Gaur, the nephew of a former MLA from Rajasthan, on the direction of Arzoo Bishnoi, who is a close confidant of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his brother Anmol Bishnoi.
She said the shooters had also done the reconnaissance of their target.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) P K Kushwaha said around six sophisticated pistols, 24 live cartridges and a GPS tracking device, which they used to place on their targets' vehicle to waylay them, have been recovered from their possession.
Anmol Bishnoi alias Bhanu, believed to be living in Canada, is allegedly said to be behind the murder of Baba Siddique.
He is also under the National Investigation Agency's (NIA's) radar for his alleged involvement in a firing incident outside actor Salman Khan's Mumbai residence in April. He also been put on the anti-terror agency's most wanted list. The NIA has announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for information leading to his arrest.
Godara said Arzoo is believed to be staying in India and teams are working to nab him.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has arrested Rijwan Ansari, a member of Lawrence Bishnoi and Kala Jathedi gang, officials on Friday said.
According to police, there was a bounty of Rs 25,000 on the head of Bishnoi-Jathedi gang member Rijwan. He is a close associate of Shahbaz Ansari, who had previously been arrested for supplying arms in the murder case of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala.
Rizwan is an accused in arms supply cases of Khujra Dehtat and Kotwali of Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh, the police said.
With inputs from PTI