The NCP Baba Siddique leader was shot multiple times in the chest by assailants around 9:30 pm, and succumbed to his injuries shortly after. As reported by NDTV, the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the murder of former Maharashtra minister, who was gunned down outside his son Zeeshan Siddique’s office in Bandra East, Mumbai.
Arrests and Hunt for Remaining Suspects
Of the three shooters involved in the assassination, two have been arrested: Gurmail Baljit Singh (23) from Haryana and Dharamraj Kashyap (19) from Uttar Pradesh. The third shooter, Shiv Kumar Gautam, also from UP, remains on the run. A fourth individual, believed to be the handler coordinating the hit, is also being pursued by the police.
Social Media Post and Bishnoi Gang’s Involvement
Soon after the assassination, the Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility via a social media post linked to Shibu Lonkar, suspected to be an alias for Shubham Rameshwar Lonkar, a known associate of the gang. Shubham Lonkar, arrested earlier this year for illegal weapons possession, is believed to have strong connections with Anmol Bishnoi, Lawrence Bishnoi’s brother. Investigators are probing this digital trail as part of the larger investigation.
Background of the Shooters
The two arrested shooters, Dharamraj Kashyap and Shiv Kumar Gautam, both hail from Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, and were laborers in Pune before being lured into the criminal underworld. According to police, the duo had been watching Mr. Siddique’s movements for months. They were reportedly paid ₹ 50,000 each for the hit, and received the arms just days before the assassination. Despite having no prior criminal records, they sought to gain notoriety by associating with the Bishnoi gang, a connection allegedly forged while in a Punjab jail.
Broader Impact: Increased Gang Violence
This assassination is the latest in a string of violent incidents linked to the Bishnoi gang, including a previous attempt on Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s life. Following the attack on Baba Siddique, Mumbai Police have ramped up security around Khan’s residence. The gang had planned to assassinate the actor, offering a contract worth ₹ 25 lakh, with the conspiracy spanning several months.
Political Repercussions and Condemnation
The murder has ignited a political firestorm in Maharashtra. While the BJP has urged restraint and called for the matter not to be politicized, the Congress has pointed to the incident as evidence of a “complete collapse of law and order” in the state. Politicians from across party lines have expressed condolences and condemned the violence, raising concerns about the escalating influence of gangs like the Bishnoi network.
As the investigation continues, authorities are determined to apprehend the remaining suspects and dismantle the criminal network behind this high-profile assassination.
