Baba Siddique murder plot: Lawrence Bishnoi angle a distraction? Fourth accused may help crack case

The police have so far arrested three people in connection with the shooting: Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap, Gurmail Baljit Singh and Pravin Lonkar.

Mumbai Police are probing the murder of National Congress Party (NCP) Baba Siddique from all angles and have not ruled out the involvement of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.

However, sources told News18 that the Bishnoi link could be a distraction to divert the attention from the actual mastermind in the case.

The police have so far arrested three people in connection with the shooting: Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap, Gurmail Baljit Singh and Pravin Lonkar.

A fourth accused, Shivkumar Gautam, is on the run. Shivkumar was the one who fired the shots at Siddique and may hold the key to who gave the orders to kill Siddique.

According to sources, Dharmaraj and Gurmail have told the police that did not have information on the person who ordered the hit on the former Maharashtra minister.

Thus, it is believed that Shivkumar could be the link that could solve the mystery behind the shooting.

Shivkumar belongs to Gandara village in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich. News18 reported that he was in the scrap-traiding business and estranged from his family.

Plot to kill Baba Siddique

Investigation has revealed that Shivkumar, Dharmaraj and Gurmail were supposed to fire shots at the NCP leader. However, the Shivkumar changed the plan at the last minute and fired the shots himself when he saw heavy police force around Siddique.

He also ordered Dharmaraj and Gurmail to fire and flee, News18 reported.

During the attack, Shivkumar fired six rounds at Siddique, out of which two struck him.

The police managed to nab Dharmaraj and Gurmail when they tried to run but Shivkumar hid in the crowd.

He reportedly threw chilli powder at some police personnel and fled. The other two were also carrying chilli powder with them.

The fourth accused, Lonkar, had “enlisted” Dharmaraj and Shivkumar in the plot and even gave them shelter in Pune.

He has been identified as a “co-conspirator”. A lookout has also been issued for his brother.

NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique (66) was waylaid by the three at Kher Nagar in Mumbai's Bandra area just outside his MLA son Zeeshan Siddique's office and shot at on Saturday night. He was rushed to the Lilavati Hospital where he was declared dead, according to Mumbai police.

The Mumbai police were also verifying a social media post, attributed to a purported member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, owning up to the murder of Siddique.

The crime branch is probing various angles, including a possible contract killing, business or political rivalry or threat over a slum rehabilitation project, according to officials.

(With inputs from agencies)