Team Clarion
MUMBAI – In the wake of the murder of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique on October 12, his security constable Shyam Sonaune has been suspended pending an inquiry. The decision follows allegations that Sonaune failed to take any action against the assailants.
According to police sources, the alleged killers had initially demanded a ransom of Rs 1 crore but later rescinded their request. Investigators claim to have recovered a photograph of Siddique’s son, Zeeshan Siddique, from one of the suspects’ phones, raising suspicions about the nature of the attack.
Zeeshan Siddique had previously met with Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, expressing concerns that constable Sonaune may have been involved in a conspiracy against his father. This has prompted an official inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the constable’s actions during the attack.
The arrested suspects, hailing from Ambernath, Panvel, and Dombivli, reportedly claimed to have learned how to shoot a pistol through YouTube tutorials over a period of four weeks while living in rented accommodation in Kerala. The police have identified Nitin Sprey as the ringleader among the arrested individuals, with connections to the main suspect, Shubham Lonkar, who is alleged to have coordinated the murder on behalf of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Reports indicate that the suspects utilised social media platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram to communicate, employing these apps to evade detection by police. They would send messages that disappear after being read and also created accounts using false identities to maintain their anonymity.
Siddique’s assassination has sent shockwaves through the political community in Maharashtra, drawing attention to concerns regarding political violence and security in the region. With police investigations ongoing, authorities are determined to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy surrounding the murder, as well as to establish the motives behind it.
As the investigation unfolds, questions linger over the adequacy of security measures for political leaders and the responsibilities of those assigned to protect them. The suspended constable’s inaction during the attack raises serious concerns about accountability within the police force.
The situation underscores the need for enhanced security protocols and effective response strategies for safeguarding political figures, particularly in a climate where threats to their safety may arise from organised criminal elements. Authorities are facing increased pressure to ensure that justice is served and that such violent incidents do not become a recurring theme in Maharashtra’s political landscape.
As investigations continue, the hope remains that all parties involved in this heinous act will be brought to justice and that steps will be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future.
