Police Reveal Shooters Were Instructed to Aim for Baba Siddique or His Son Zeeshan

Police Reveal Shooters Were Instructed to Aim for Baba Siddique or His Son Zeeshan

Police Reveal Shooters Were Instructed to Aim for Baba Siddique or His Son Zeeshan

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Mumbai, Maharashtra – The Mumbai Police Crime Branch has revealed new details regarding the assassination attempt on Baba Siddique, a senior NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister, who was shot at outside his son Zeeshan Siddique’s Kherwadi office. The incident occurred when Baba Siddique was approached by party workers on Saturday, leading to a dramatic escalation in the ongoing investigation.

Police officials disclosed that the shooters initially had Zeeshan Siddique, a Congress MLA, in their sights. However, upon seeing him get into his car right outside his office, they shifted their focus to his father. Baba Siddique’s vehicle was parked approximately 200 meters away, making him a more accessible target.

According to law enforcement sources, investigators uncovered photographs of Zeeshan and details about his vehicle on the Snapchat account belonging to one of the accused. When questioned, the shooters admitted they had been instructed to eliminate either Baba or Zeeshan. “During their reconnaissance, they determined it was easier to attack Baba Siddique during the short walk to his car,” stated an officer involved in the investigation.

Family members of Baba Siddique explained that he preferred to walk the 200-meter distance as it provided him with an opportunity to engage with younger party workers.

The primary motive behind the assassination appears to be linked to Lawrence Bishnoi, who is allegedly attempting to instill fear in Mumbai to initiate extortion activities. An officer elaborated, stating, “In contrast to the shooting of Salman Khan, where the assailants fled after firing outside his residence, Baba Siddique was targeted because instilling fear through a murder prompts others to acquiesce to extortion demands.”

Additionally, police are investigating a potential connection to a dispute involving a Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) project in Bandra. In August, an FIR was filed against Zeeshan Siddique for allegedly obstructing SRA officials from surveying the disputed plot.

As of now, authorities have arrested nine individuals in connection with the case, including two who accompanied Shivkumar Gautam, the shooter who fired at Baba Siddique. The police recovered a Turkish-made pistol and a Glock, which had been transported from Rajasthan to facilitate the attack.

Authorities continue to search for Shivkumar Gautam, Shubham Lonkar, and Zeeshan Akhtar, who are suspected to have direct ties to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Law enforcement is also working to secure custody of Lawrence Bishnoi, currently incarcerated at Sabarmati Prison in Gujarat.

According to reports from PTI, the five accused arrested in connection with the murder plot had initially demanded ₹50 lakh for the job. However, they later withdrew due to disagreements over payment and concerns regarding Baba Siddique’s influence. The accused, hailing from various locations within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, provided logistical support to the shooters and were reportedly paid ₹5 lakh for their assistance. They have been identified as Nitin Gautam Sapre (32), Sambhaji Kisan Pardhi (44), Pradeep Dattu Thombre (37), Chetan Dilip Pardhi, and Ram Fulchand Kanoujia (43). Except for Thombre, the other four have prior criminal records, according to crime branch officials.

This assassination attempt has raised significant concerns about political violence and the increasing influence of organized crime in Mumbai, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced security measures for public figures.

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