Mumbai, Maharashtra

Baba Siddique murder: On Sunday night, NCP leader Baba Siddique was laid to rest with full state honours in Maharashtra. The funeral saw Siddique’s son Zeeshan Siddique inconsolable at the funeral prayers on October 13. 

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Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police are investigating the killing of former Maharashtra MLA Siddique from multiple angles. Till now, the police have come up with a possible contract killing, business rivalry or threats related to a slum rehabilitation project. 

The 66-year-old NCP leader was shot by three assailants in Bandra, Mumbai, on Saturday night. He was killed outside the office of his son Zeeshan and brought to Lilavati Hospital’s emergency services at 9:30 pm in critical condition. Siddique was declared dead at 11:27 pm.

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Upon being declared dead, Siddique’s body was immediately transferred from Lilavati Hospital to Cooper Hospital for a postmortem on Sunday morning. The incident shocked the state and raised concerns about law and order, specifically in Mumbai city. Also, the incident comes at a time when the assembly elections are scheduled to take place.

Baba Siddique murder: What we know so far

Fourth accused identified: Mumbai police on Sunday identified a fourth accused in the case. The person was providing support to the shooters from outside, police confirmed. The police said that another suspect in the murder of the NCP leader has been arrested in Pune, identified as Pravin Lonkar, 28, who is the brother of Shubham Lonkar.

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As per police investigation, Pravin Lonkar is considered a conspirator in the case and was involved with Shubham in recruiting Dharamraj Kashyap and Shiv Kumar Gautam for the plot.

Further, an ossification test was ordered for the second accused Dharamraj Kashyap and Gurmail Baljit Singh was sent to police till October 21.

How Baba Siddique was killed: The report from the forensic team and police reviewed the CCTV footage, which shows the attackers used a 9.9 mm pistol. The attackers fired six rounds during a Durga visarjan procession and took advantage of the noise from firecrackers. 

Out of the total six bullets fired, three hit Baba Siddique.

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The accused also had done recce of Siddique’s house and office premises. They were in Mumbai for one and a half to two months and were keeping a close eye on him.

Suspicion over Lawrence Bishnoi gang: While police are still probing the exact motive behind the killing of Siddique, some social media posts claim this attack to be from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The police are verifying the authenticity of the reports. 

Taking responsibility on social media, an account on Facebook by the name of Shubu Lonkar, wrote, "Salman Khan, we did not want this war, but you harmed our brother. Baba Siddique’s chapter has closed today, or he was once under the MCOCA Act with Dawood."

(With inputs from agencies)