Jalandhar link surfaces in Baba Siddique murder, 4th accused identified

The link to the murder of NCP leader and former Maharashtra Minister Baba Siddique has emerged in Punjab as Jalandhar’s Mohammad Zeeshan Akhtar is learnt to have provided logistics support to the killers.

Zeeshan, who is from Shakar village in Nakodar, was arrested by the Jalandhar police in 2022 on the charges of organised crime, murder and robbery. Police sources said Zeeshan allegedly directed the three shooters from outside, providing them with information about Siddique's location at the time of the killing. He also allegedly assisted them with logistical support, including arranging rental rooms. Police sources said Zeeshan was imprisoned in Patiala Jail where he reportedly connected with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. He allegedly joined the gang following his release from jail on June 7.

The murder of Siddique (66) in upscale Bandra on Saturday night triggered a fiery exchange between the opposition and the ruling BJP even as a purported viral social media post claimed the role of Lawrence Bishnoi gang's in the crime. The Mumbai Police said they had launched a probe from different angles, including a possible contract killing, business rivalry or threat over a slum rehabilitation project. They said they were also verifying the purported post on the Bishnoi gang link.

Siddique was waylaid and shot at by three men at Kher Nagar in Mumbai's Bandra area just outside his MLA son Zeeshan Siddique's office. He was taken to Lilavati Hospital where he was declared “brought dead”.