Mumbai, Maharashtra

The two killers arrested in the Baba Siddique murder, Gurmail Singh and Dharamraj Kashyap learned to shoot by watching YouTube videos ANI reported citing the Mumbai Police. 

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So far in the case, the Mumbai Police has arrested four accused, while three others remain absconding. Multiple teams have been formed to track them down. Meanwhile, the crime branch of the city police recovered a black bag containing a 7.62 mm gun.

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“The accused were given Baba Siddique's photo to identify him. The shooters had surveyed his residence and office 25 days before the incident. Gurmail Singh and Dharamraj Kashyap learned shooting from YouTube and practised shooting without a magazine in Mumbai,” ANI quoted the Mumbai Police as saying.

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Fourth suspect arrested

The crime branch has arrested the fourth suspect in the case, identified as Harishkumar Balakram, 23, from Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh. He has been arrested for allegedly providing financial support and logistics for the high-profile murder. 

Balakram worked as a scrap dealer in Pune and was part of the conspiracy, said the police. Two of the three accused – Dharmaraj and Shivprasad Gautam – also used to work in Balakram's scrap shop.

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Maharashtra’s politician Baba Siddique, 66, was stopped by three persons in Mumbai’s Nirmal Nagar area, just outside the office of his MLA son Zeeshan Siddique, and was shot dead on Saturday night (Oct 12). The NCP leader was declared dead upon reaching the Lilavati Hospital.

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“According to the information received from Mumbai Crime Branch, the entire planning of Baba Siddiqui's murder was done in Pune. Mumbai Crime Branch has so far recorded the statements of more than 15 people, including many eyewitnesses who were present at the time of the incident,” the police said.

The killers claimed to be associated with the Bishnoi gang, whose leader Lawrence remains imprisoned in Gujarat's Sabarmati Jail.

The Baba Siddique murder has put the spotlight on the Bishnoi gang's operations, which have demonstrated a powerful ability to organise and execute high-profile crimes from inside the prison.

(With inputs from agencies)