Baba Siddique Murder: Former Maharashtra minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique was laid to rest on Sunday night with the state honors in the presence of a large number of people and political leaders amid tight security.
Mumbai Police accorded a guard of honor to Siddique amid rain at Bada Kabrastan in the Marine Lines area. The former minister’s funeral procession began from his Bandra residence, Maqba Heights, after Namaaz-e-Janaza was offered. His mortal remains draped in the Tricolour were taken in an ambulance to the final destination via the sea link, a distance of 17 km.
VIDEO | Baba Siddique laid to rest with full state honor at Bada Qabrastan in Mumbai. (n/2)
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvqRQz)#BabaSiddique pic.twitter.com/KUYkbzyvZa — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 13, 2024
Baba Siddique was tragically murdered outside his office in Nirmal Nagar, Mumbai, on Saturday. He sustained two gunshot wounds to his chest and was immediately rushed to Lilavati Hospital for emergency treatment. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries later that night.
Dr. Jalil Parkar from Lilavati Hospital provided details, stating, “Baba Siddique was admitted around 9:30 PM. Upon arrival, his pulse and blood pressure were unrecordable, and the ECG showed a flat line. We shifted him to the ICU, but unfortunately, he passed away shortly after.”
3 Arrested In Murder Case So Far
The Mumbai police have arrested three people in the Baba Siddique murder case so far. A court in Mumbai on Sunday remanded one of the two prime accused in the case to police custody till October 21.
The other accused involved in the case has been sent for a medical test to determine his age status. While Gurmail Singh has been given police custody for a week, the other accused, Dharamraj Kashyap was sent for an ossification test to determine his true age, a lawyer assisting the court said.
The court had directed to present the second accused again after conducting his ossification test. According to the Mumbai police, the court asked for an ossification test of the accused, Dharmaraj Kashyap, as his lawyer claimed that he was a minor, as reported by news agency ANI. The test was carried out, and it was proved that he was not a minor. He was produced in court, and the court has granted police custody till October 21.
#UPDATE | Baba Siddique murder case The Court asked for an ossification test of the accused, Dharmaraj Kashyap, as his lawyer claimed that he was a minor. The test was conducted and it was proved that he was not a minor. He was produced in the court and the court has granted… https://t.co/ymrv5pkMgl — ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2024
Meanwhile, the Mumbai police made another arrest in the case. The police arrested a 28-year-old man from Pune who, along with his brother, “enlisted” two of the three alleged shooters in the case, an official said on Sunday, as reported by news agency PTI.
Police called the man, Pravin Lonkar, a “co-conspirator” and stated that they are on the lookout for his brother Shubham Lonkar. This is the third arrest in the case. According to the crime branch official, Pravin and Shubham “enlisted” two alleged shooters, a UP resident and Shivkumar Gautam.
Baba Siddique murder case Pravin Lonkar, the 28-year-old brother of Shubham Lonkar, has been arrested from Pune. He is one of the conspirators who, along with Shubham Lonkar, enlisted Dharmaraj Kashyap and Shivkumar Gautam in the plot. Further investigation is underway: Mumbai… — ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2024
While Gautam is on the run, police have arrested the UP resident and another alleged shooter, identified as Gurmail Baljit Singh (23). The official said police went to Pune looking for Shubham Lonkar but did not find him there. They then nabbed his brother Pravin for his alleged involvement in the crime, he said.
Police have recovered two bullets, and 28 live bullets were recovered from the two apprehended shooters. Police have set up 15 teams that have fanned out of Maharashtra, and a probe is on to identify who provided logistical support to the shooters, officials have said.
The Mumbai Police are verifying a social media post attributed to a purported member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, owning up to the murder of Siddique. The crime branch is also probing various angles, including a possible contract killing, business or political rivalry, or threat over a slum rehabilitation project, according to officials.
(With agencies inputs)