"The mastermind behind the attack will also be traced."
NCP leader Baba Siddique was shot dead in Mumbai just months before state elections.
The former member of the Maharashtra Assembly was assassinated near his son’s office in the Bandra East area.
It was reported that at around 9:30 pm on October 12, 2024, Siddique and an associate were targeted by three men, who fired multiple rounds.
Siddique, who also had close links to Bollywood, was struck in the chest.
The 66-year-old was rushed to hospital but died of his injuries. His associate suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said:
“The incident will be thoroughly investigated and strict action will be taken against the attackers.
“The mastermind behind the attack will also be traced.”
Two of the shooters have been arrested – Gurmail Baljit Singh and Dharamraj Kashyap.
Shiv Kumar Gautam has been identified as the third gunman and is on the run. A fourth person is also wanted.
Hours after the shooting, the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility via a social media post.
Authorities are now investigating the post, reportedly linked to a Facebook account belonging to Shibu Lonkar, who may actually be Shubham Rameshwar Lonkar – an associate of the Bishnoi gang.
Lonkar was arrested earlier in 2024 for possessing illegal weapons.
During questioning, Lonkar admitted to being in communication with Anmol Bishnoi, Lawrence’s Bishnoi’s brother, through video calls.
The investigation into Baba Siddique’s murder has also revealed that shooters Kashyap and Gautam are from Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich.
Both are neighbours and reportedly worked as labourers in Pune before being lured into the criminal underworld.
Bahraich Superintendent of Police (SP) Vrinda Shukla confirmed that while Kashyap has been arrested, Gautam remains on the run.
Neither had a criminal record in their hometown, but sources indicate they aimed to gain notoriety by associating with the Bishnoi gang, a connection allegedly forged during their time in a Punjab jail.
Police said the suspects had been monitoring Siddique for months, conducting intelligence of his residence and office.
The police revealed that the suspects had been paid Rs. 50,000 (£450) each in advance for the hit and that arms had been delivered to them only days before the assassination.
The shooting has raised concerns about political violence ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections and a resurgence of gang violence in Mumbai, something which has been curbed in recent years.
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