Baba Siddique Murder Case: 2 Suspected Shooters Presented in Court, Third Accused Identified by Police

Former NCP leader Baba Siddique was shot dead in Bandra East, Mumbai. Two suspects linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang are in custody, while a third shooter remains on the run. Police suspect a contract killing.

Former Minister Baba Siddique Shot Dead in Bandra East

Former Maharashtra MLA and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique was shot dead on Saturday night near his son Zeeshan Siddique’s office in Bandra East, Mumbai. The 66-year-old politician, who served as a three-time MLA from Bandra West, was struck by four bullets to the chest after being fired upon six times by three assailants. The attack occurred during Dussehra festivities, sending shockwaves through the political landscape of Maharashtra.

The Attack on Baba Siddique

According to police reports, Baba Siddique was leaving the office of his son, MLA Zeeshan Siddique, when three gunmen opened fire. At least six shots were fired, with four bullets hitting Siddique in the chest. The attackers quickly fled the scene, leaving the politician gravely injured. Siddique was rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where he was pronounced dead after efforts to save him failed.

The police suspect the murder was a contract killing, even though Siddique had been assigned ‘Y’ category security due to his political stature. Despite the heightened security, the attackers managed to carry out the assassination in a public place, raising serious concerns over security breaches.

Suspected Shooters Linked to Lawrence Bishnoi Gang

The two suspects arrested in connection with Baba Siddique’s murder have claimed ties to the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, according to sources. Gurmail Singh and Dharamraj Kashyap, both of whom were apprehended by police, were presented in Killa court. Singh has been remanded in police custody until October 21. However, there is some uncertainty over Kashyap’s age, leading the court to order an ossification test before further legal proceedings.

While Singh and Kashyap remain in custody, two other individuals—Shivkumar Gautam, believed to be one of the three shooters, and Mohamed Zeeshan Akhtar—are still wanted by the police. Gautam is accused of taking part in the shooting, while Akhtar is suspected of being the one who received the contract to kill Siddique. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang, however, has yet to officially claim responsibility for the assassination.

Political Fallout in Maharashtra

Baba Siddique’s murder has sparked a political uproar in Maharashtra. Opposition leaders, including senior figures from the Congress party, have condemned the attack and criticized the state government for failing to curb rising criminal activities. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar and other prominent politicians have demanded accountability from the Maharashtra Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Several leaders are calling for his resignation over the increasing security lapses in the state.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, in response to the assassination, has announced that Baba Siddique will be given a state funeral. The late leader had served as a minister in the Maharashtra Cabinet from 2004 to 2008, a period during which he gained respect as a key political figure in the state.

Two Arrests, Third Suspect on the Run

The Mumbai police have confirmed that two men, one from Haryana and another from Uttar Pradesh, have been detained in connection with the killing. Singh and Kashyap, who were arrested after an intensive manhunt, are suspected to have ties to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Investigations suggest the killing may have been politically motivated, as Siddique’s death comes just weeks before the upcoming Assembly elections scheduled for November.

A third suspect, Shivkumar Gautam, remains on the run. The police believe Gautam was one of the shooters involved in the attack. His identification has been confirmed, and authorities are conducting raids to apprehend him. The Mumbai Crime Branch has now taken over the case, ramping up efforts to track down Gautam and others involved.

Circumstances of the Murder

The shooting occurred late at night as Baba Siddique was leaving his son’s office. As Siddique approached his car, the assailants fired multiple rounds, hitting him in the chest and abdomen. Witnesses reported hearing six to seven shots ring out before the gunmen fled. Despite being rushed to Lilavati Hospital, Siddique succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

Siddique’s political career spanned more than two decades, during which he served as a Congress MLA for three terms. He represented the Bandra West constituency from 1999 to 2014 and was widely regarded as a seasoned and respected politician.

Conclusion

The murder of Baba Siddique has left the political community in shock, with calls for better law and order in Maharashtra. While two suspects are in custody, the police continue their search for the third accused in what appears to be a premeditated contract killing. With the involvement of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang under investigation, the case has now escalated into a major law enforcement priority.