Baba Siddique murder plot hatched in Pune, say police

The conspiracy to kill NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique was hatched in Pune and shooters were provided with a photo for target identification, the police said on Monday.

The Crime Branch probing the murder of the 66-year-old politician exposed the alleged role of Pune-based Pravin Lonkar and his brother Shubham Lonkar in the plot.

“The motive behind the killing will be ascertained once the wanted accused are arrested,” a police official said. The police have identified the Lonkar brothers as the key figures in the crime. The duo allegedly financed the shooters, coordinated logistics and orchestrated meetings leading up to the attack. Pravin worked at a dairy owned by Shubham, where they recruited shooters Shiv Kumar Gautam and Dharmaraj Kashyap.

The conspiracy took shape over several meetings, with promises of substantial payment upon successful execution of the plan. The shooters received an advance of Rs 50,000 each. They purchased a motorcycle to conduct recce of Siddique, officials said.

The police have so far arrested three persons — Gurmail Baljit Singh (23), a resident of Haryana, and Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap (19), a native of UP — both alleged shooters — and Pravin Lonkar.

The police have widened the dragnet for suspected “handler” Mohammad Yasin Akhtar and Gautam, who allegedly pumped bullets into Siddique’s chest as Kashyap and Singh stood behind him. While Kashyap and Singh were arrested from the spot in Bandra, Gautam fled, the police said.

Shubham had on Facebook attributed the attack to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

As the investigation unfolds, the Crime Branch is exploring all possible connections, including ties to the Bishnoi gang, as some suspects have prior affiliations. Over 15 teams are now deployed across various states to gather intelligence.

“We are investigating all possible angles, including the involvement of the Bishnoi gang,” the official said, adding that the persons involved in the crime were assigned particular tasks.

On the possibility of Mumbai police questioning Lawrence Bishnoi, currently lodged in the Sabarmati Jail, the official said a proposal had been sent to the Home Department for his custody in a case registered earlier.