Mumbai, Maharashtra

Police in the Indian financial capital city of Mumbai have found the prime suspect in the murder case of politician Baba Siddique. The prime suspect, Akashdeep Gill, communicated with key conspirators, including the mastermind of the killing of Anmol Bishnoi, via a labourer's mobile hotspot.

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Gill, who was arrested in the Indian state of Punjab, was identified as the logistics coordinator in the murder conspiracy orchestrated by prominent gangster Bishnoi.

"In a significant development in the Baba Siddique murder case, Akashdeep Gill, arrested from Fazilka, Punjab, disclosed during interrogation how he communicated with key conspirators using a labourer's mobile hotspot. This method was employed to evade police detection," the Mumbai Crime Branch said.

"Gill admitted to using the hotspot of a labourer named Balwinder, allowing him to appear offline and avoid tracking. The Crime Branch is currently searching for Gill's mobile phone, which may hold vital evidence related to the case. Gill has been identified as a crucial logistical coordinator for the murder plot orchestrated by gangster Anmol Bishnoi," they said.

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Also read: Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's brother Anmol Bishnoi, accused in Baba Siddique murder, arrested in US: Report

Mumbai's Killa Court (Esplanade Court), on November 12, had sent the main accused shooter, Shiva Kumar, along with four others to police custody till November 19.

Their arrests were made by a joint operation of the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) and the Mumbai Crime Branch (Nanpara area) in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh.  

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The police also arrested Salman Vohra, who is accused of financing the murder.

Advocate Shila Gupta, representing Vohra, in a conversation with news agency ANI, stated, "He has been accused of financing the murder. He was brought here after being arrested in Uttar Pradesh." 

Shaikah Faizan, counsel representing Akashdeep said that he "was brought in from the Punjab border" and "the alleged role of both the accused is different".

"Along with Pappu Singh, they allegedly communicated with each other through a device and passed on messages to each other. The other accused has been alleged to be supporting others financially. I cannot give more information as today itself they have been produced before the court. Today was their first remand".  

Baba Siddique shot dead

NCP leader Baba Siddique was fatally shot on October 12 near his son, MLA Zeeshan's office in Mumbai's Nirmal Nagar. The attack was carried out by three assailants linked to the gang of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who has since claimed responsibility for the murder.  

Further investigations revealed that the Bishnoi gang had allegedly targeted another prominent Pune-based political leader following Siddique's murder. 

(With inputs from agencies)