Baba Siddique murder investigation reveals new details of shooter and weapons sources; Here’s what we know

The Mumbai Police is conducting a comprehensive investigation into the murder of former MLA and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique, who was gunned down on Saturday night. Police are exploring several angles, including the possibility of contract murder, business rivalry or threats linked to a slum rehabilitation project. Siddique, 66, was attacked by three assailants outside his son Zeeshan Siddique’s office in Bandra and succumbed to his injuries shortly after being taken to Lilavati Hospital.

Baba Siddique Murder: What Happened During the Attack

Siddique was shot at approximately 9:30 p.m. Despite emergency medical efforts, he was pronounced dead at 11:27 pm after resuscitation attempts failed. Hospital officials reported that when he arrived he had no pulse, cardiac activity or blood pressure, with significant blood loss from gunshot wounds to the chest. Doctors stated, “It is possible (he died before being taken to hospital). There was no response from him when he was brought. We carried out resuscitation but Siddique was declared dead at 11:27 pm on Saturday.”

After his death, Siddique’s body was transferred to Cooper Hospital for an autopsy. The incident has raised serious concerns about law and order in the state, especially with legislative elections approaching next month.

Baba Siddique murder: everyone was arrested

Police identified a fourth suspect who allegedly supported the shooters outside the crime scene. Two suspects, Gurmel Singh from Haryana and Dharamraj Kashyap from Uttar Pradesh, were arrested, while a third suspect, Shiva Gautam, remains at large. Authorities revealed that the attackers monitored Siddique for one to two months and were paid in advance for their role in the murder.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde confirmed the arrests and emphasized the need for police to maintain law and order, saying, “Decisive action would be taken against those involved.”

The accused, identified as Gurmail Singh and Dharamraj Kashyap, were removed from the Esplanade Court. The Court sent accused Gurmail Singh to the custody of Mumbai Crime Branch till October 21. Police custody of Dharamraj Kashyap was not granted. The court ordered that the second accused be produced again after the ossification test was carried out.

Evidence collected

A forensic team visited the crime scene to collect evidence, including reviewing CCTV footage. The attackers used a 9mm pistol, firing six shots during a Durga visarjan procession to mask the sound of the gunshots with the noise of fireworks. Of the six shots fired, three hit Siddique. Reports indicate that the shooters rented accommodation in Kurla for around Rs 14,000 per month and received their firearms around two weeks before the incident.

Siddique served three times as MLA for the Bandra (West) constituency and was known for his political connections and business interests. Earlier this year, he switched allegiance from Congress to Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction. His murder marks a significant development in Mumbai’s political landscape, the first high-profile murder in the city in three decades, evoking memories of a turbulent period characterized by gang violence in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Police are also investigating possible links to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang after a social media post claimed responsibility for the murder. An account identified as Shubuu Lonkar stated, “Salman Khan, we didn’t want this war, but you have harmed our brother. Baba Siddique’s chapter is closed today… Whoever helps Salman Khan and the Dawood gang will have to settle their scores.”

The murder provoked strong reactions from political leaders. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed his shock and criticized the Maharashtra government for the “complete breakdown of law and order”, stating, “This horrific incident exposes the complete breakdown of law and order in Maharashtra.” However, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar described the attack as “extremely unfortunate and condemnable”, saying Siddique was a leader who stood for secularism and fought for the minority community.

As investigations continue, police are investigating all possible motives behind the attack, including personal and business rivalries, as well as links to organized crime. The public and political communities are grappling with the implications of this violent act and its potential impact on the next elections. The Mumbai Police has committed to uncovering the full extent of the conspiracy behind Siddique’s murder and ensuring that justice is served.