Baba Siddique Murder Case: Third Accused Nabbed, Investigations Lead to Jalandhar Link
The murder of former MLA from Mumbai and leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Baba Siddique sent shock waves across India, especially within the political and criminal circles in Maharashtra. Police investigations reveal that the crime escalated into dark levels of conspiracy as it was discovered to be a crime involving multi-shooter and alleged conspirators. As of October 2024, three suspects are held, and linkage with a fourth suspect based in Jalandhar in Punjab has been confirmed.
The case has received enormous attention due to Siddique’s important political career and the merciless nature of his murder. With their investigation going so fast, the authorities have been working day and night without resting for a moment to piece together events leading to his murder.
Third Accused Grabbbed by Arrest: Key Conspirator Caught in Pune
Mumbai Police announced a major victory in the case after arresting Pravin Lonkar, 28, who is said to be one of the principal conspirators. Lonkar was brought in from Pune and is believed to have played the key role in the murder arrangement. Police reports show that Lonkar had played a vital role in recruiting Dharmaraj Kashyap and Shivkumar Gautam, those two shooters ultimately responsible for the attack.
In its final submission, the police have claimed that Lonkar was coordinating the activities of the assailants and also furnished them essential logistical support. His arrest has been one of the most important developments of this case, as it now strengthens the investigation into the much broader conspiracy behind the assassination of Siddique.
Fourth Accused Tied to Jalandhar: The Investigation Spreads Its Wings
What is even more interesting is the connection that the investigation has discovered about Jalandhar, Punjab. The Jalandhar police have identified the fourth accused, who is Mohammad Zeeshan Akhtar. Akhtar comes from Shakar village in Nakodar and has a criminal record. In 2022, the police from Jalandhar Rural had arrested him for various organized crime, murder, and robbery charges.
The police believe Akhtar had played a very significant role in the assassination, providing details regarding the movement of Baba Siddique and helping in making all the logistical arrangement, including rental accommodations for the killers. It is considered that Akhtar had orchestrated three shooters from a distance, making him a linchpin to the conspiracy.
The investigations are still going on to confirm the level of involvement of Akhtar and any other potential accomplices in Punjab or beyond. His arrest would, no doubt, open up further details about the mastermind behind the plot and garner vital evidence about the plan in which the murder was executed.
Background of the shooters: Haryana and Uttar Pradesh Connections
The assassination was carried out by three assailants who hail from three different regions of India. The principal attackers are from Narad village in Kaithal district, Haryana, Gurmel Singh while the other two, Dharmaraj Kashyap and Shivkumar Gautam, belong to Bahraich district in Uttar Pradesh.
So far, the police have arrested Gurmel Singh and Dharmaraj Kashyap. Shivkumar Gautam is still at large. The police are carrying out searches at several places in a hope to catch Gautam and bring the rest of the accused to book. The authorities are also trying to figure out if there was more than one hand behind the murder plot or if the three shooters were under the instructions of the arrested conspirators.
Ossification Test Ordered for Accused Kashyap In a fresh hearing in the court, Mumbai’s Esplanade Court today ordered a bone test or ossification test on one of the arrested shooters, Dharmaraj Kashyap, to ascertain his age. The test was ordered after the defense lawyer of Kashyap contended that he was a minor at the time of the crime by presenting an Aadhaar card listing 2003 as his birth year.
But discrepancies have been found in Aadhaar cards; police argue that it is showing wrong information. According to reports, the card is said to be present in the name of Ranjan Kumar Sharma, but the photograph shown is identical to that of the accused. The ossification test, which is an estimate of a person’s age extrapolated from the degree to which his bones are fused, will come in handy and see whether indeed Kashyap is a minor and if his trial should be carried out in a juvenile court or in the regular court.
Funeral for Baba Siddique: Paying Tribute to a Political Icon
On Sunday, the state of Maharashtra paid its final tributes to Baba Siddique as his body was laid to rest with full state honours. The State Honour was accorded during his last rites, held at Bada Qabrastan in Mumbai. Hundreds of mourners, including prominent political figures, local leaders, and family members, attended the NCP leader’s cremation.
The mortal remains of Siddique were taken for burial after the state funeral, with the end of an illustrious political career that spanned decades. Siddique brought respect across all political divides due to his important contributions to Mumbai’s development as well as his work as MLA; thus, there was tragic loss when he died untimely.
Conclusion: A Murder That Shook the Nation
The murder of Baba Siddique has brought to the fore the dangers which public figures are exposed to-the chief, however, being associated with politics. Quick response by the police and the subsequent arrest of key suspects have brought the investigation closer to closure. Many questions remain, however, specially about the possible involvement of organized crime syndicates and the motives for this assassination.
As the police continue to investigate and arrest those involved, yet another victim like Siddique falls prey to the vulnerability of life when brought into the spotlight. Importantly, it has also brought into the fore the protection of political leadership and the importance of being watchful enough in dealing with the criminal elements that menace the stability of the country.
Follow the further developments of the Baba Siddique murder case as the story of the case unfolds. One can only hope that now, justice will be served for the slain leader and his family who grieve such a loss.
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