Police are yet to determine the reason behind the high-profile killing; Lawrence Bishnoi’s lawyer denies the gangster’s role
Team Clarion
MUMBAI – Police are yet to uncover the motive behind the shocking murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique in Bandra East’s Kherwadi area here on 12th October. Even though ten suspects have been arrested so far, the police are still struggling to provide clarity on the reason for the brutal shooting.
The latest arrest was made on Sunday when 32-year-old Bhagwant Om Singh, a resident of Bandra Kurla Complex, was apprehended in Udaipur. According to police sources, Singh was present during the fatal attack on Siddique. After the shooting, he fled to Belapur before making his way to Udaipur, where he was arrested and brought back to Mumbai on a transit remand. The Crime Branch has secured his custody until 26th October, with officers stating that he played a significant role in the murder conspiracy by supplying weapons.
“Bhagwant Om Singh is accused of not only being involved in the conspiracy to kill Baba Siddique but also of supplying one of the weapons used in the murder,” a police officer said during the court proceedings. Singh is alleged to have provided a firearm to fugitive associate Shiv Kumar, who is believed to have shot at Siddique.
Initial speculation linked the murder to the notorious Bishnoi gang, led by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently imprisoned in Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. However, the Crime Branch has yet to confirm the theory. Police sources have downplayed any direct involvement of Bishnoi, stating that he has been isolated from his gang for some time due to strict security measures, including the use of jammers that block communication from within the jail.
“It is true that we requested custody of Lawrence Bishnoi, but it was denied. However, there is no concrete evidence that Bishnoi ordered the killing of Baba Siddique,” said a senior officer of the Crime Branch, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The arrested suspects have no known links to the Bishnoi gang, and there is no indication that Bishnoi has communicated with his associates for a long time.”
In an interview with India Today, Bishnoi’s lawyer said that there is no proof of the gangster’s involvement in the murder of Baba Siddique and that the claims are merely accusations made on social media. Rajni Khatri, Bishnoi’s lawyer, also denied any connections between Bishnoi and terrorists, asserting that there is no evidence to support such claims.
The arrested individuals include key suspects such as shooter Gurmeel Baljeet Singh and Dharamraj Rajesh Keship, who have denied any affiliation with the Bishnoi gang during questioning. Further arrests include Parveen Lonkar, Harish Kumar Nishad, and five others – Nitin Sapre, Sambhaji Pardhi, Pradeep Dutto Thombre, Chetin Pardhi, and Ram Chand Kanojia. Despite the growing list of detainees, none have confirmed receiving orders from Bishnoi or his gang.
Police investigations have also ruled out the theory of a “betel leaf” hit or contract killing, which was rumoured to be connected to the Bishnoi gang. Senior officers have cautioned against jumping to conclusions based on speculation. “There is no evidence to suggest that any payment or ‘supari’ was involved in this case,” a police source added.
As the probe continues, authorities are exploring several possible motives, including political and commercial conflicts or personal enmities related to Siddique’s involvement in the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) schemes. Fugitive suspect Shubham Lonkar, and shooters Shiv Kumar and Mohammad Zeeshan Akhtar, remain on the run, and their capture could provide further insights into the case.
The police are also examining a potential threat made against Baba Siddique for his association with Bollywood actor Salman Khan. “The threat linked Siddique to Khan in the name of the Bishnoi gang, but we are not ruling out other angles,” the officer said.
With no definitive answers yet, the investigation remains ongoing. “We are exploring all possibilities, but until we catch the remaining fugitives, especially Lonkar, we won’t have a clear picture,” another official remarked.
The murder of Baba Siddique has left the city on edge, with many still wondering what led to the tragic event. The police have reassured the public that they are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of the truth.
