Two more suspects, Aditya Gudankar and Rafiq Shaikh, are arrested from Pune in connection with the assassination of NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique on October 12. Both were presented in Esplanade court and remanded to police custody until November 13. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch intensifying efforts apprehend 18 accused in the case till date.
The investigation Chronology of Arrests and Progress:
October 12, 2024: Baba Siddique was fatally shot outside his office in Nirmal Nagar, sustaining two gunshot wounds to the chest. He was rushed to Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital but succumbed to his injuries. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang, led by the incarcerated gangster, claimed responsibility for the murder.
October 13, 2024: The Mumbai Crime Branch arrested the first suspect, identified as Dharmaraj Kashyap, in connection with the murder. Kashyap was apprehended in Uttar Pradesh and was believed to be one of the shooters involved in the assassination.
October 14, 2024: A second suspect, Pravin Lonkar, was arrested from Pune. Lonkar is alleged to have played a pivotal role in orchestrating the murder, including enlisting shooters for the attack.
October 15, 2024: The Crime Branch apprehended a third suspect, Harishkumar Balakram, from Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh. Balakram is accused of providing logistical support to the shooters.
October 18, 2024: Five more individuals were arrested following raids in Panvel and Raigad, bringing the total number of arrests to nine. These suspects were allegedly involved in the conspiracy and execution of the murder.
October 23, 2024: An eleventh suspect, Bhagwant Singh, was arrested from Belapur in Navi Mumbai. Singh is accused of aiding the shooters by providing them shelter and weapons, and of transporting firearms from Rajasthan to Mumbai.
November 6, 2024: The Crime Branch arrested Gaurav Vilas Apune (32) from Pune. Investigations revealed that Apune had met with other suspects to plan the assassination and was in contact with the group of shooters initially hired to kill Siddique.
Weapon Recovery: The Crime Branch has recovered five weapons used in the murder. The fifth weapon was found at the Pune residence of suspect Rupesh Mohol. Authorities are still searching for one more weapon and three live cartridges, as they believe six firearms were brought to Mumbai as part of the murder plot.
Mastermind Search: Teams have been deployed outside Maharashtra, particularly in Haryana, to locate the alleged mastermind behind the murder. The transnational operations of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang have posed challenges to the investigation.
Digital Evidence: Examination of the shooters’ mobile phones revealed pictures of pistols, indicating premeditation and planning. Additionally, WhatsApp chats have surfaced, showing extortion demands made to the market owner prior to the shooting.
Senior Police Official: “We have set up 15 teams, and the investigation is ongoing to identify who provided logistical support to the shooters.”
Investigating Officer: “The accused and his brother were involved in extortion. The accused worked from behind bars, and his brother operates outside of India.”
The assassination of Baba Siddique has sent shockwaves through Mumbai’s political and social circles. Residents and local leaders have expressed concerns over the audacity of such a crime in a bustling area, highlighting the need for enhanced security measures. The incident has also brought to light the pervasive issue of organized crime and extortion in the city, prompting calls for more stringent law enforcement actions.
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As the investigation progresses, the Mumbai Police Crime Branch remains committed to uncovering the full extent of the conspiracy and bringing all involved to justice. The case underscores the challenges law enforcement faces when dealing with organized crime networks that operate both domestically and internationally. The community continues to watch closely, hoping for swift justice and the restoration of safety and order.