Baba Siddique News highlights: Accused Pravin Lonkar, who hired shooters to kill Baba Siddique, sent to police custody

Baba Siddique News Live: The Baba Siddique murder has put the spotlight on the Bishnoi gang's operations, which have demonstrated a powerful ability to organize and execute high-profile crimes from inside the prison.

The gang first gained massive attention after the murder of popular Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala in Punjab's Mansa district in 2022, since then, the operations and criminals linked to the syndicate have been making headlines. Read more

Baba Siddique News Live: Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) leader Sanjay Nirupam said the state government has taken up the Baba Siddique murder case as a "challenge" upon itself and asked the opposition to refrain from politicising the issue.

“To conclude on the basis of one incident that the entire law and order has collapsed, I think this is an exaggeration. By saying such things, the opposition is doing the politics. At the time of such incidents, one should not do politics but should work and support the government. The Mumbai Police and the Crime Branch of the police are seriously investigating this case,” Nirupam added.

Baba Siddique News Live: Bihar MP Pappu Yadav claimed that he can “finished off within 24 hours” the entire network of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, if law permits such action.

“Has the nation become an army of eunuchs? A criminal sitting in jail gets people bumped off at will and all remain mute spectators. Maha jungle raj prevails in Maharashtra. The proof is the murder of Baba Siddiqui, who enjoyed Y security cover and was known to be supportive of the government,” he said.

Baba Siddique News Live: Just 15 days before he was murdered, NCP leader Baba Siddique's security was increased to Y category after he had received threats to his life. On October 12, Siddique was shot dead outside his son Zeeshan's office building in Bandra. Shortly after the attack, the veteran politician succumbed to his injuries in Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital.

Baba Siddique's death sparked a political row in Maharashtra, with the opposition parties blaming the Eknath Shinde-led state government for failing to protect a political leader with Y security cover. Read here to know more on X, Y and Z VIP security levels.

Baba Siddique News Live: AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj questioned how gangster Lawrence Bishnoi is able to stay in contact with gangsters from several states and execute his plans from his jail in Gujarat.

“How is it possible that a gangster (Lawrence Bishnoi) is inside the jail in Gujarat and still reports emerge that he is in touch with gangsters of different states and carrying out extortion as well as contract killings? This means that he is receiving all kinds of facilities inside jail including access to a mobile phone. This cannot happen without the government’s protection,”

Baba Siddique News Live: Mumbai police on Monday said that only one police constable accompanied the slain NCP leader Baba Siddique when he was shot dead by armed assailants.

Police teams continued their search for the absconding accused from Uttar Pradesh, Shiv Kumar Gautam, for a second day. Officials are searching for the accused around places of worship in Ujjain and Khandwa, reported news agency PTI.

Baba Siddique News Live: CPI leader D Raja questioned why Union Home Minister Amit Shah is silent on repeated crimes being committed in Maharashtra.

"Murder of Baba Siddique is a matter of concern. What is happening in Mumbai is sad. How can someone sitting in jail claim this...Why is Union Home Minister Amit Shah silent on this, why is he not speaking anything about the crimes being committed in Maharahstra," Raja asked.

-ANI

Baba Siddique News Live: A local court sent Praveen Lonkar (28), fourth accused in the Baba Siddique murder case, to police custoday till 21 October. He is one of the conspirators who, along with his brother Shubham Lonkar, enlisted shooters Dharmaraj Kashyap and Shivkumar Gautam in the plot to kill the slain NCP leader.

Baba Siddique News Live: Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora said the state government is committed in ensuring the safety of Mumbai and “the state and central agencies will leave no stone unturned to maintain peace”.

“Many Mumbaikars are understandably disturbed by the tragic assassination of Baba Siddiqui ji. Unlike in the recent past, when rogue officers planting bombs to extort industrialists were let off by the then CM, and terror attacks & bomb blasts were the norm, this government takes law & order extremely seriously,” said Deora in a post on X.

Baba Siddique News Live: Third accused in the Baba Siddique murder case, Shiv Kumar Gautam from Uttar Pradesh, has been flaunting his ‘gangster’ status in social media in recent times.

Gautam posted a picture on Instagram on August 4 with a caption, "Yaar tera gangster hai jaani (your friend is a gangster)". The post showed him seated on a motorcycle as a Haryanvi song played in the background.

Another post of his on July 8 was captioned "Sharif baap hai # (expletives) hum nahin".

On May 26, he posted a brief video of a city skyline along with background music from the movie "KGF", with its dialogue "powerful people make places powerful". (PTI)

Baba Siddique News Live: RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari questioned the authority of the Maharashtra government and asked how a prominent politician like Baba Siddique can be shot dead inside the city.

"How could such a prominent figure be killed in broad daylight in a place like Bandra, Mumbai? Where was the government’s administration? Where was the government’s authority? This is a sign that a criminal regime has been established. If criminals can murder a prominent person, then the common people are left to God's mercy," said the RJD leader.

Baba Siddique News Live: NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule alleged that people are not safe in Maharashtra and desired a change in government due to poor law and order situation in the state. She also asked why the security cover of the slain NCP leader was not increased.

"Neither women are safe nor the children. The cases of hit-and-run, rapes and murders are increasing. Nobody is safe in this state. That's why we need to change the government...They (the government) should catch the mastermind behind this. And if the government knew that he (Baba Siddique) was under threat then why his security was not increased?," she said.

Congress leader Udit Raj on Monday raised concerns over the recent murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique and questioned the competence of the Maharashtra government and the Home Minister.

Speaking to ANI, Udit Raj said, "This is not an ordinary incident. He was threatened and then murdered. The question arises whether the government is competent, is the Home Minister competent? Should he remain in office? Gangsters are operating from jail and what is the Home Minister of our country and the Home Minister of Maharashtra doing?" (ANI)

Baba Siddique News Live: Maharashtra minority commission chairman Pyare Khan on Monday urged minority communities to seek government help if they face any threat, stating that the Maharashtra police is capable of dealing with any gang.

Speaking to ANI he said, "The murder of Baba Siddique is unfortunate for Maharashtra. All the minority communities and people from Bollywood please contact the administration if you receive any such threats. I want to ensure them that the government is with them.

He added, "If you look into the history of Maharashtra, you can see how the police ended the gang wars. Maharashtra Police is efficient in teaching a lesson to such miscreants."

Baba Siddique News Live: Mumbai police confirmed on Monday that Zeeshan Siddiqui, MLA and son of Baba Siddiqui had received threats a few days before his father's murder on Saturday.

The accused, while being interrogated revealed that both Zeeshan and Baba Siddiqui were targeted and they were ordered to fire on anyone they found.

The accused were given a contract to kill both Zeeshan and Baba Siddiqui

Baba Siddique News Live: According to the Mumbai police the brothers Pravin and Shubham Lonkar were the ones who enlisted Dharmaraj Kashyap and Shivakumar Gautam, two of the gunmen who attacked the late politician outside his son's office in Bandra.

Pravin Lonkar has been arrested by the Mumbai police. His brother also has tied to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

Baba Siddique News Live: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has called for a CBI investigation in a new statement on the Baba Siddique murder case.

Speaking to news agency ANI, she said, “There should be a free and fair investigation of the incident.This government cannot do an investigation and everyone has lost faith in this government. This case should be handed over to the CBI or there should be a judicial investigation so that the truth can come out.”

Baba Siddique News Live: Sources revealed that the three men who attacked NCP leader Baba Siddique carried chilli powder and threw it at the one police constable guarding the politician before killing him, reported India Today.

Baba Siddique News Live: After the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde addressed the press and said, “They will not be spared, no matter who they are, be it the Bishnoi gang or any underworld gang. Strict action will be taken. Those who are receiving threats will have their safety ensured, as it is the state government's responsibility.”

Baba Siddique News Live: The Mumbai police are not able to get custody of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi due to an order by the ministry of home affairs, reported India Today.

Lawrence remains in Sabarmati jail. Gujarat after multiple applications by the Mumbai crime branch,

The MHA prohibits the transfer of Bishnoi from Sabarmati prison in Ahmedabad. The order was initially in effect until August 2024 but has now reportedly been extended.

Baba Siddique News Live: Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar spoke to news agency ANI and mourned the loss dear friend Baba Siddique.

He said, “It is very unfortunate what happened with Baba Siddique. I have known him for many years. He always used to meet and interact with people. I used to go to his Iftar parties. Whatever has happened is very shocking.”

Baba Siddique News Live: During a press conference Shiv Sena (UBT) leader challenged CM Shinde to prove his courage and “encounter” the Siddique killers like was done in the Badlapur sexual assault case.

He said, "Ajit Pawar should demand Amit Shah's resignation...He (CM Shinde) declared himself Singham after shooting Akshay Shinde (accused in Badlapur sexual assault case). Now show this 'Singhamgiri' here. If you have the courage and you are a man, then encounter the conspirators of Baba Siddiqui's murder case..."

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut addressed a press conference on Monday and said that the underworld was emerging again in Mumbai due to the current government.

“I had said earlier also that after this government, gang wars and the power of the underworld in Mumbai can increase. This government also has the support of the underworld and that underworld is being run from Gujarat. ”

He added, “A gangster who is lodged in Gujarat's Sabarmati jail and is in the custody of Gujarat ATS takes responsibility for the murder of Baba Siddique. This is a challenge for the Union Home Minister who is from Gujarat.”

Baba Siddique News Live: 4 of the accused in the Baba Siddique murder case have been arrested, according to Mumbai police.

Dharmaraj Kashyap and Gurmail Singh, who fired shots at the NCP leader were produced in front of a Mumbai court and sentenced to police custody until October 21.

The third gunman Shivakumar is still absconding.

Two aides in the crime, were arrested, Shubham and Pravin Lonkar. Another person linked to the crimes Mohammed Zeeshan Akhtar from Jalandhar has not been arrested yet.

Baba Siddique News Live: The Mumbai crime branch has arrested Shubham Lonkar from Pune. Shubham is the brother of a person who posted that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has taken responsibility for the murder.

His brother is absconding at the moment. Shubham Lonkar gave shelter to both the arrested accused in Pune, according to the Mumbai police.