Mumbai Police are intensifying their search for the suspected shooter involved in the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique. The search has led them to focus on places of worship in Ujjain and Khandwa districts in Madhya Pradesh. A joint team from Mumbai Police arrived in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, following the tragic incident where Siddique was shot dead in Mumbai.
Three individuals have been arrested so far in connection to the case, including Gurmail Baljit Singh from Haryana, Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap from Uttar Pradesh, and Pravin Lonkar from Pune. The suspected shooter, Shivkumar Gautam, is currently on the run, and another individual, Mohd Zishan Akhtar, is also wanted in connection to the case.
Ujjain and Khandwa are known for their famous Mahakal and Omkareshwar temples, which attract a large number of visitors daily. The Mumbai Police are working alongside the Madhya Pradesh police to track down the accused shooter, who is originally from Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh.
While there is speculation that the shooter may seek refuge in these temples, police are also monitoring other locations. Khandwa is in close proximity to Amravati and Jalgaon in Maharashtra, making it a potential hiding spot for the suspect.
NCP leader Siddique was attacked by three individuals outside his son’s office in Mumbai and succumbed to his injuries at Lilavati Hospital. A social media post allegedly from a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the murder, prompting the crime branch to investigate various motives behind the killing, including contract disputes, business or political rivalries, or threats related to a slum rehabilitation project.
In response to the incident, Mumbai Police have deployed 15 teams across Maharashtra to track down the shooter. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of justice for Baba Siddique.
