Two days after the murder of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, the Mumbai Police are intensifying their efforts to uncover the conspiracy behind the assassination. While three suspects — Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap, Gurmail Baljit Singh, and Pravin Lonkar — have been arrested, the prime shooter, Shivkumar Gautam, remains on the run, and investigators believe he holds crucial information about the person who ordered the killing.
The incident, which took place outside the office of Siddique’s son in Bandra, Mumbai, involved a carefully planned attack that was meant to be executed by Dharmaraj and Gurmail. However, Shivkumar altered the original plan and took it upon himself to fire the shots at Siddique when he realized the area was heavily guarded by police.
The Day of the Attack
According to the police, the three accused — Dharmaraj, Gurmail, and Shivkumar — had come prepared to carry out the assassination. Initially, the plan was for Dharmaraj and Gurmail to fire at the former minister, but when they hesitated, Shivkumar took control. He fired six rounds, two of which struck Siddique, before ordering his accomplices to flee the scene.
While Dharmaraj and Gurmail were apprehended shortly after the incident, Shivkumar managed to evade capture by blending into the crowd. During his escape, he threw chilli powder into the eyes of police personnel, allowing him to slip away.
Ongoing Investigation and Search for Shivkumar Gautam
Investigations revealed that Dharmaraj and Gurmail did not fire their weapons during the attack, leaving Shivkumar as the sole shooter. Both men are cooperating with authorities but claim they have no knowledge of who orchestrated the hit. Police believe that Shivkumar, who remains absconding, could be the key to identifying the mastermind behind the murder.
Multiple police teams have been formed to track down Shivkumar, and efforts are underway to trace his whereabouts.
Background on Shivkumar Gautam
Shivkumar Gautam, 23, is a native of Gandara village in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh. He had been living in Pune and working in the scrap trading business for several years. According to his family, Shivkumar had grown distant over time, ceasing regular communication with them. His mother recalled how he stopped sending money and became unresponsive, except for a brief period when he provided financial aid during his sister’s illness.
“He told us not to call him anymore,” his mother said, lamenting the strained relationship. Despite the growing distance, Shivkumar’s family expressed shock upon learning of his involvement in the murder.
Role of Pravin Lonkar in the Plot
In addition to Dharmaraj and Gurmail, another suspect, Pravin Lonkar, 28, was arrested from Pune. Police suspect that Pravin, along with his brother Shubham, played a pivotal role in recruiting Dharmaraj and Shivkumar into the assassination plot. Pravin’s exact role in the conspiracy is still under investigation, but authorities believe he had significant involvement in planning the attack.
A High-Profile Political Assassination
Baba Siddique, 66, had recently joined the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the NCP earlier this year after leaving the Congress party. His murder has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra’s political circles, and the motive behind the killing is still unclear. Police are working to establish whether Siddique’s political ties or personal enmities were factors in the crime.
As the investigation unfolds, the search for the missing shooter, Shivkumar, continues, with authorities hopeful that his capture will shed light on the broader conspiracy behind Siddique’s assassination.
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