Baba Siddique murder: Fourth accused arrested in UP's Bahraich

Baba Siddique murder: The police said the accused worked as a scrap dealer in Pune and was part of the conspiracy.

Published on: Oct 15, 2024, 14:22:51 IST

By HT News Desk

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The Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested the fourth accused in the murder case of NCP leader Baba Siddique. The accused, identified as 23-year-old Harishkumar Balakram, was arrested in UP's Bahraich for allegedly supplying money and arranging logistics for the sensational murder.

The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has reportedly taken responsibility for the murder.

"In connection with Baba Siddiqui's murder case, Harishkumar Balakram (23), a resident of Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, has been apprehended," the Mumbai Crime Branch said on Tuesday.

The police said Balakram worked as a scrap dealer in Pune and was part of the conspiracy.

"He was working as a scrap dealer in Pune. He was part of the conspiracy, he supplied money and other logistics. Further investigation is underway," it added.

Also read: Baba Siddique murder: How did killers identify NCP leader? They were paid…

Two of the three accused – Dharmaraj and Shivprasad Gautam – used to work in Balakram's scrap shop.

Harish had bought new mobile phones for Shivprasad and Dharmaraj ahead of the crime.

The police said the fourth accused was fully aware of the crime.

Police had earlier arrested Haryana resident Gurmail Baljit Singh,23, Uttar Pradesh native Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap (19) for murdering Siddique. The third shooter, Shivprasad, is absconding.

Also read: Baba Siddique murder: Why did 3 accused bring pepper spray with them?

"Co-conspirator" Pravin Lonkar was also arrested. His brother, Shubham Lonkar, who wrote the social media post claiming that the Lawrance Bishnoi gang was responsible for the murder, is also missing.

The post claimed Siddique was killed because of his proximity to actor Salman Khan. The post also warned people against helping Salman Khan and Dawood Ibrahim.

Also read: Baba Siddique murder | Lawrence Bishnoi reveals names on ‘hit-list’: Report

Baba Siddique (66) was waylaid by three persons in Mumbai's Nirmal Nagar area, just outside his MLA son Zeeshan Siddique's office, and shot dead on Saturday night. He was rushed to the Lilavati Hospital where he was declared dead. He was laid to rest on Sunday.

With inputs from PTI, ANI

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