NEW DELHI: Dharamraj Kashyap, 18, and Shiv Kumar Gautam, 24, two of the main suspects in the murder of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique, reportedly sought to escape poverty when they became involved in the criminal plot. The duo, close friends from Gandara Village in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, joined forces with the third accused, Gurnail Baljeet Singh, 23, a Haryana resident.
The three were reportedly motivated and provoked by a social media post from Pravin Lonkar, who claimed responsibility for the murder.
Siddique, a prominent leader in Ajit Pawar’s faction of the NCP, was gunned down at 9:30 PM on Saturday by the trio. Gautam, who allegedly fired the fatal shots, remains on the run, while Kashyap and Singh were arrested at the scene by Mumbai Police.
According to the Mumbai Crime Branch, four individuals were directly involved in the murder: Kashyap, Gautam, Singh, and one Mohammed Zeeshan Akhtar. Additionally, Pravin and Shubham Lonkar were charged for using social media to falsely claim that the jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi was behind the assassination.
Akhtar, previously jailed in Jalandhar, was released on bail on June 7, 2024. He met with Gurnail Singh in Kaithal, Haryana, where they reportedly discussed a contract to kill Siddique. Akhtar is believed to have been in constant contact with the shooters through a mobile app, providing real-time instructions during the murder.
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The plan to eliminate Siddique was allegedly hatched inside a Punjab jail, with the three shooters being actively coordinated by Akhtar. Gautam fired six shots, while Kashyap used pepper spray to divert Siddique’s security personnel. The crime bears a striking resemblance to underworld activities in the 1990s, where Bollywood figures were targeted to send messages to powerful individuals.
Kashyap, the youngest of five siblings, helped his father sell fish and often expressed frustration with his impoverished life. He longed for an escape and spoke of moving to a big city for better prospects. His friend, Gautam, also sought financial success, which eventually drew the two together. Their families confirmed these aspirations.
Both Kashyap and Gautam moved to Pune, where they worked as scrap dealers. In Pune, they met Pravin Lonkar, who recruited them into a syndicate plotting Siddique’s murder. Shubham Lonkar, Pravin’s brother, later posted a Facebook message claiming responsibility for the assassination on behalf of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Gautam’s parents expressed disbelief about their son’s involvement in the murder. His father, Balkrishna Kumar, said, “I don’t think my son is capable of murder, but if he’s proven guilty, he should be punished accordingly.” Gautam had grown distant from his family, cutting off communication after he moved to Pune, his mother said.
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A social media post by Shubham Lonkar, claiming the murder was orchestrated by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, pointed to Siddique’s close ties with Bollywood actor Salman Khan and underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim. Bishnoi’s gang has previously threatened Salman Khan due to his involvement in the blackbuck poaching case, as the animal is considered sacred by the Bishnoi community.
The police have recovered three pistols, 28 bullets, and pepper spray from the scene. Gautam remains at large, while Singh is in police custody until October 21, and Kashyap is awaiting further legal proceedings. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities trying to determine the full extent of the conspiracy.
The Mumbai Crime Branch is continuing its investigation, while security remains high as they search for Gautam, the absconding shooter.