Shiv Kumar, the man responsible for shooting NCP leader Baba Siddique, was arrested in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, during an attempted escape to Nepal. The arrest marked a significant development in the high-profile murder investigation, as it followed an intensive manhunt involving collaboration between the UP Special Task Force (STF) and Mumbai Crime Branch. Kumar had been evading authorities since the killing, which occurred on October 12 outside the office of Siddique’s son, Zeeshan Siddique, in Bandra East. Kumar used a 9.9 mm pistol, firing six rounds to fatally wound Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister and influential political figure. Authorities have now apprehended all three shooters involved in the incident, aiming to close in on the masterminds behind the assassination.
During questioning, Kumar confessed to his association with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a criminal syndicate implicated in several high-profile cases in India. According to his statements, the killing was orchestrated under the direction of Lawrence Bishnoi's brother, Anmol Bishnoi. Kumar’s connection with Anmol Bishnoi was allegedly facilitated by Shubham Lonkar, a close aide to the Bishnoi brothers. Authorities also revealed that Anmol used Snapchat to communicate directly with the shooters, sharing specific details and surveillance information, including a photograph of Baba Siddique's son, Zeeshan Siddique, potentially as a means of intimidation. This targeted communication highlighted the premeditated nature of the attack and the gang's ability to operate covertly, even leveraging social media as a tool for coordination.
Anmol Bishnoi, who had been in touch with the shooters shortly before the killing, has been on the run, evading law enforcement through elaborate international travel using fake documents. Originally spotted in Kenya, he was reportedly last seen in Canada, prompting concerns about his broader network and resource access overseas. Anmol is also connected to other high-profile criminal incidents, such as the firing near actor Salman Khan’s residence and the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala in 2022. His involvement in these cases has attracted significant attention, leading the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to designate him as one of India’s most-wanted criminals and announce a substantial reward of Rs 10 lakh for information leading to his capture.
The investigation into Baba Siddique’s murder has so far led to the arrest of 23 individuals, underscoring the complex network of criminals involved. With Shiv Kumar's capture, authorities are hopeful that they may be able to dismantle more of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang’s operations, which have extended across multiple regions and involve extensive planning. The Siddique murder case has not only drawn attention to the threat posed by organized crime but has also underscored the challenges facing law enforcement in tracking and apprehending criminals operating across international borders.
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