Mumbai: Baba Siddique, former Maharashtra minister, was shot dead in a targeted attack by three assailants who fired six rounds at him in Mumbai’s Bandra East on Saturday. Preliminary report reveals it was a case of contract killing and three accused have been arrested so far while one other remains on the run.
Baba Siddique was a prominent politician from the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party and a former three-time MLA from Bandra West. He was shot dead outside his son Zeeshan Siddique's office in Bandra East. The attackers, with their faces covered, exited their car and opened fire. Two of the bullets struck Siddique in the chest. Despite being rushed to Lilavati Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.
The shooting, that coincided with Dussehra festivities, was carried out by three men. Two men – Gurmail Baljit Singh, 23, from Haryana and Dharamraj Kashyap, 19, from Uttar Pradesh – were arrested. The third accused is still believed to be absconding. Probe team are now investigating if the contract was given to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang which has claimed responsibility for the murder.
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A Mumbai court sent Singh to police custody till October 21. The court ordered the police to produce the second accused before it again, after conducting the ossification test as he claimed to be a minor. An ossification test, also known as a bone age test, is a medical procedure that estimates a person's age by analysing the degree of fusion of their bones.
Four Shocking Facts That Emerged So Far:
1. Prelim probe reveals it is a case of contract killing.
2. Probe team looking at whether the contract was given to Bishnoi gang.
3. Shooters chose Dusshera since police was busy with security arrangement.
4. Killing was pre-planned. Arms were delivered few days ago.
A case has been registered at Nirmal Nagar Police Station under Crime Registration No. 589/2024, Sections 103(1), 109, 125, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 3, 25, 5, and 27 of the Arms Act, and Section 37 and section 137 of the Maharashtra Police Act.
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Bishnoi Gang Claims Responsibility
Lawrence Bishnoi gang today claimed responsibility for the killing of Baba Siddique, a day after the former minister was gunned down outside his son Zeeshan Siddique's office in Bandra East. Baba Siddique was a prominent politician from the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party and a former three-time MLA from Bandra West.
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Who Killed Baba Siddique? Facebook Post Says, 'Whoever Helps Salman Khan And Dawood Gang….'
A Facebook account named Shubbu Lonkar Maharashtra claimed responsibility for the murder, accusing actor Salman Khan of starting a "war". Notably, Siddique enjoyed close ties with Bollywood actor Salman Khan, who has been on the hit list of the Bishnoi gang since 1999. The politician has been pushing for enhanced security for Salman Khan ever since the actor began receiving threats.
The post in Hindi read, "Salman Khan, we never wanted this war, but you caused harm to our brother. Today, whether it's under the respect of Baba Siddique's protection or an act with Dawood during that time, the purpose was to link Anuj Thapan and Dawood with Bollywood, politics, and property dealings upon his death. We have no enmity with anyone, but whoever helps Salman Khan and Dawood's gang will have to keep their accounts clear. If any harm comes to our brother, we will surely respond, though we never attacked first. Jai Shri Ram, Jai Bharat. Salute to the martyrs. #LawrenceBishnoiGroup #AnmolBishnoi #AnkitBhaduSherewala"
Salman Khan has been on top of the gang's hit list after he was named as prime accused in the 1999 Blackbuck poaching case. The Bishnoi community – to which Lawrence belongs – considers Blackbuck as a sacred animal.
In his disclosure statement recorded before NIA, Lawrence Bishnoi had confessed that Salman Khan is on his hit list.