In a significant breakthrough in the high-profile murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, Mumbai Police arrested five more suspects on Friday, raising the total number of arrests in the case to nine. The latest arrests followed raids conducted by the Crime Branch in Panvel and Karjat in Raigad district, based on precise intelligence inputs, according to a senior police official.
The five individuals are believed to have played a key role in the conspiracy and execution of the murder. Police sources have confirmed that these suspects were also in contact with the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which has been accused of orchestrating the fatal attack. The gang is already under scrutiny for several other high-profile criminal activities.
Baba Siddique, a former Congress leader who later joined the NCP, was shot multiple times near his son, MLA Zeeshan Siddique’s office in Nirmal Nagar, Bandra, Mumbai, on October 12, 2024. Although he was rushed to Lilavati Hospital in a critical condition, the veteran politician succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
The initial arrests in the case took place at the scene of the crime, where two alleged shooters were apprehended by the police with the help of bystanders. These suspects were believed to be directly involved in the attack, while two more individuals were taken into custody shortly after. The arrest of the additional five conspirators has shed light on a broader plot behind Siddique’s murder, which the police are still unraveling.
Case Background:
Baba Siddique was a well-known figure in Mumbai’s political circles, having served as a Congress MLA from Bandra West for three consecutive terms before switching to the NCP. His sudden and brutal murder sent shockwaves through the political community and raised concerns about escalating gang-related violence in Maharashtra.
Police investigations have revealed that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang had targeted Siddique due to his increasing political clout and alleged business dealings that clashed with the gang’s interests. Bishnoi, who is currently incarcerated, is believed to have orchestrated the attack from behind bars, and his gang is being closely monitored for involvement in other violent activities across the country.
Authorities are now focusing on unearthing further connections between the arrested individuals and the gang, as well as identifying any additional conspirators who may still be at large. Police have assured that the investigation will continue aggressively to ensure justice for Siddique’s family and to curb the growing influence of criminal gangs in the region.
