Baba Siddique's Son Zeeshan Was Also on Shooters' Target, Say Mumbai Police

Mumbai: As probe intensifies into the killing of Baba Siddique, who died afer multiple shots were fired on him late on Saturday night, it has come to light that the senior NCP leader's son Zeeshan was also on target of the alleged shooters.

According to sources in police, an insider had informed the shooters about Baba Siddique and his son's location to the shooters.

The sources further said that the shooters were ordered to kill the father-son duo. It is learnt that Zeeshan was left unhurt since he had left the office 10 mins before the shooters launched attacked on his father and fled.

Zeeshan Siddiqui Also Received Threats Before Shooting Incident

In the latest development, it is learnt that Zeeshan Siddiqui had also received threats a few days prior to the incident. The Mumbai Police told the accused confessed of targeting the father-son duo and were ordered to shoot down anyone they found.

Mumbai police said, "Zeeshan Siddiqui, son of Baba Siddiqui had received threats a few days before the incident took place. The accused told during interrogation that both Zeeshan and Baba Siddiqui were on the target and they were ordered to fire on anyone they found. Zeeshan Siddiqui was also the target of the accused. The accused were given a contract to kill both Zeeshan and Baba Siddiqui."

Why Attackers Chose Bandra to Kill Baba?

Zeeshan's office was one of the favourable location for the accused as it was very close to the the Western Express Highway as it may have served them as an escape route.

The Mumbai Police have so far arrested three people involved in the killing, including two shooters. Earlier on Sunday, the Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the deadly attack on the NCP leader, citing his favors to underworld figures like Dawood Ibrahim and Anuj Thapan.

The alleged shooters have been identified as Gurmail Baljit Singh (23) from Haryana and Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap (19) from Uttar Pradesh, while the third accused Pravin Lonkar (29) was arrested from Pune on Sunday. 

Baba Siddique's Killing

The attack left Baba Siddique critically injured as multiple shots were fired at him Mumbai's Bandra by assailants. The firing took place outside his MLA son Zeeshan Siddiqui's office near Colgate ground in Nirmal Nagar. Immediately, the three-time MLA was rushed to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The assassination of former state minister has sent shock waves across the country, raising concerns over safety and security of prominent people in the state. Interestingly, the Ajit Pawar -led SP faction leader was killed despite having Y category security cover. 

Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Claims Responsibility Siddique's Murder

The Lawrence Bishnoi gang on Sunday claimed the responsibility for the murder of Baba Siddiqui, in a Facebook post. The viral post shared by gang member Shubham, who is Pravin's brother, read that the murder was executed due to Siddique’s links with Bollywood actor Salman Khan and underworld figures like Dawood Ibrahim and Anuj Thapan.

The post began with "Om, Jai Shri Ram, Jai Bharat" slogans, followed by, "I understand the essence of life, and consider wealth and the body as dust. I did a good deed and honoured the duty of friendship."

The post further read, "Salman Khan, we did not want this war but you hurt our brother."

The post shared on FB by a user named 'Shubuu Lonkar Maharashtra ' further claimed that once Siddique connived with Dawood under MCOCA ( Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act). The viral post also mentioned the motive behind the killing, stating it was to take revenge from Siddique for "linking Dawood and Anuj Thapan with Bollywood, politics, and property dealings."

"We have no rivalry with anyone but anyone who supports Salman Khan and Dawood, should be prepared for consequences," the post further read.

The post concluded with a warning, "We will definitely give a reaction if anyone gets our brothers killed. We have never attacked first..."

It is believed that Shubham is one of the key conspirators who, enlisted Dharmaraj Kashyap and Shivkumar Gautam, the absconding shooter in the murder plot. 

The Mumbai Police have identified six individuals altogether linked with the high-profile murder. While three of them are currently in custody, a search is underway for the others. During probe, it has come to light that before executing the murder, the attackers did recce at places linked to Siddique and was keeping an eye on him for over 25 days.

Siddique Shot Dead Weeks Before State Polls

The shocking assassination of NCP leader Baba Siddique has raised serious concerns about the law and order situation in Maharashtra , where assembly elections are set to take place next month.

A prominent Muslim leader from Mumbai, Siddique had represented the Bandra (West) seat in the assembly three times and was known for his close ties with various Bollywood stars.

Pistol Used in Crime Smuggled From Pakistan

The Mumbai Police have also recovered Zigana pistol, a Tukey-made weapon which is banned in India, considered as the first choice of Lawrence's shooters, from the possession of the alleged shooters. It is learnt that the Turkey-made Zigana pistol was supplied to the assailants from Pakistan via a drone. The shooters had fired at the NCP leader using a 9mm pistol. The sensational murders of don-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were also carried out using Zigana pistols. Additionally, Zigana pistol was also used in the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala who was shot dead on May 29, 2022. Later, Goldy Brar, a Lawrence Bishnoi gang member, took responsibility for the killing which left the entire nation in shock.

The investigation agencies are preparing to question dreaded gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, whose name has cropped up in several high profile murders, currently lodged in Sabarmati jail in Gujarat.