Mumbai

The Mumbai Police on Tuesday (Oct 15) arrested a fourth suspect in connection with the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique. The accused, identified as Harishkumar Balakram, was arrested from the Baharaich district of Uttar Pradesh on charges of allegedly supplying money and arranging logistics for the murder.

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According to the police, Balakram was working as a scrap dealer in Pune and was a vital part of the murder conspiracy.

"In connection with Baba Siddiqui's murder case, Harishkumar Balakram (23), a resident of Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, has been apprehended," the Mumbai Crime Branch said. 

"He was working as a scrap dealer in Pune. He was part of the conspiracy, he supplied money and other logistics. Further investigation is underway," it added. 

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The police had earlier arrested three accused—Karnail Singh from Haryana, Dharamraj Kashyap from Uttar Pradesh, and Pravin Lonkar from Pune.

While Singh has been sent into police custody, Kashyap claimed that he is a minor, prompting the court to order an ossification test. Meanwhile, Lonkar is believed to be the brother of Shubham Lonkar who allegedly wrote the Facebook post claiming that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was behind the murder. 

The post seemingly quoted renowned poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar and claimed responsibility for the murder. 

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"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," read the Facebook post. 

"We have no enmity with anyone, but whoever helps Salman Khan and the Dawood gang will have to settle their accounts," it added. 

The Mumbai Police said it was verifying the authenticity of the social media post and refrained from making any concrete assertion. 

"We have seen the viral social media post. Verifying authenticity and context,'' a senior police officer said.

Watch | India: NCP Leader Baba Siddique Shot Dead In Mumbai

Maharashtra CM vows action

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has vowed that those responsible for Siddique's murder will "not be spared". 

"Be it the Bishnoi gang or any underworld gang. Strict action will be taken. Those who are receiving threats, their safety is the state government's responsibility and it will fulfil its responsibility," said Shinde. 

Also read | Baba Siddique murder: Mumbai Police probing social media post claiming Lawrence Bishnoi gang role

Siddique, was a leader of the NCP-Ajit Pawar faction. Prior to joining NCP, he was a longtime member of Congress before resigning from the party earlier this year. He was known to be close to several Bollywood stars. 

(With inputs from agencies)