Mumbai Police, UPSTF nab main accused in NCP leader Baba Siddique’s murder case

The Mumbai Police Crime Branch, in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Police's Special Task Force (STF), arrested the main accused on Sunday (Nov. 10) in relation to the murder of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique.

Shiv Kumar Gautam, identified as the shooter, was arrested with two others from Nanpara area of Bahraich district in Uttar Pradesh and is now being transported to Mumbai.

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Baba Siddique, aged 66, was fatally shot by three assailants near his son Zeeshan's office in Bandra, Mumbai, on October 12. He suffered two gunshot wounds to the chest and was quickly taken to Lilavati Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

According to the forensic team and police, CCTV footage revealed that the attackers fired six shots using a 9.9 mm pistol. The gunmen reportedly timed their shots to coincide with the noise from firecrackers during a Durga Puja visarjan procession, concealing the sounds of gunfire. Out of the six rounds fired, three struck Siddique.

Police identified Shiv Kumar Gautam as one of the shooters and as an intermediary linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, responsible for relaying instructions from the group.

Following Siddique's murder, Kumar allegedly travelled to Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh to meet associates of the gang. Though the Mumbai Police traced him there, they were unable to detain him.

During questioning, Kumar reportedly confessed to his association with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, claiming the attack was orchestrated onAnmol Bishnoi’s orders. Anmol Bishnoi, Lawrence's brother, is reportedly based in Canada.

Anmol Bishnoi has also been implicated in the 2022 murder of Punjabi singer and politician Sidhu Moosewala, as well as in a shooting incident outside actor Salman Khan's home in Mumbai in April.

Previously, 20 individuals, including the other two shooters, had been apprehended in connection with this case.

(With inputs from agencies)