The Mumbai Police continue their investigation into the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, which occurred outside his office in Bandra on Saturday evening. Two suspects, Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap and Gurmail Baljit Singh, have been arrested in connection with the crime, while another shooter, Shiv Kumar, is still at large. Additionally, the police have identified a fourth suspect, Mohammad Jasin Akhtar, who may have played a significant role in orchestrating the attack.
The murder, which took place amidst the noise of firecrackers, has sent shockwaves through the political community, with many questioning the motive behind the brazen attack. As per eyewitness accounts, three men exited a vehicle, approached Siddique, and opened fire. The attackers initially planned to use pepper spray to disorient Siddique before shooting him, but one of the assailants, Shiv Kumar, began firing immediately. Siddique was quickly transported to Lilavati Hospital, but unfortunately, he could not be saved.
The two arrested suspects were captured at the scene, thanks to quick action by Siddique’s security team. Dharmaraj and Gurmail appeared before a local court on Sunday, where the judge ordered further police custody for Gurmail and a bone ossification test for Dharmaraj to confirm his actual age. While Dharmaraj claims to be 17, if the test proves otherwise, it could have serious legal consequences, affecting his status as a juvenile in the case.
Shiv Kumar, the third shooter, remains on the run. The police have intensified their search efforts and expanded the probe to include other cities, including Shiv’s native Uttar Pradesh, where they hope to gather more information on his whereabouts. Both Dharmaraj and Shiv Kumar are from Uttar Pradesh, while Gurmail hails from Haryana. The involvement of Mohammad Jasin Akhtar, a resident of Punjab, complicates the case further, as it suggests an interstate nexus.
Akhtar, who was recently released from jail in June after being imprisoned for multiple offenses, allegedly became involved with the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang while incarcerated. Sources suggest that the Bishnoi gang, which has been linked to organized crime and contract killings, may have been behind the assassination of Siddique. The gang, infamous for its enmity with Bollywood actor Salman Khan, reportedly targeted Siddique due to his close association with Khan. The Bishnoi community has long harbored a grudge against Khan for his involvement in the killing of a blackbuck, an animal sacred to their beliefs, during a hunting trip in 1998.
While the Bishnoi gang is known for its threats and violent actions, the police have yet to confirm their direct involvement in Siddique’s murder. Investigators are carefully examining all angles, including the gang’s alleged claim of responsibility. Siddique’s connections to the entertainment industry, particularly with high-profile figures like Salman Khan, have added layers of intrigue to the case.
Gurmail Singh’s criminal history has also drawn attention, particularly because his family has disowned him for more than a decade. His grandmother, speaking to the media, revealed that the family severed ties with Gurmail after he was implicated in a murder case in 2019. She expressed regret over his wayward life but emphasized that the family has had no contact with him in recent years. Gurmail, after being released on bail three months ago, did not return to his family home and had been living independently, further distancing himself from his relatives.
In contrast, Shiv Kumar’s family has maintained that they had no knowledge of his involvement in criminal activities. According to his mother, Shiv left their village in Uttar Pradesh to work as a laborer in Maharashtra. She recounted that he had last visited home during Holi earlier this year, but since then, he had not maintained regular contact with the family. The sudden revelation of his alleged role in Siddique’s murder has come as a shock to his relatives, who claim to have been unaware of his criminal intentions.
Dharmaraj’s background, like Shiv Kumar’s, shows no prior criminal record, and his involvement in the case has raised questions about how he became entangled in such a violent crime. His mother has expressed her sorrow and confusion, stating that she had not heard from her son for months and had no idea what he was doing in Mumbai.
As the investigation unfolds, the police are working diligently to capture Shiv Kumar and Mohammad Jasin Akhtar and to piece together the broader network involved in this high-profile murder. The probe also aims to uncover whether the Lawrence Bishnoi gang’s claim of responsibility holds merit, and if so, what larger motives might have driven them to orchestrate the killing.
The case has grown increasingly complex with the involvement of multiple states and connections to organized crime. The police are leaving no stone unturned in their search for the remaining suspects and are determined to bring all the perpetrators to justice. Baba Siddique’s murder has not only shaken the political landscape but has also sparked debates about the growing reach of criminal networks across India. The outcome of this investigation will be closely watched, not just by the political community but also by the general public, who are eager to see justice served.
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