Baba Siddique Murder Case: Accused’s Bone Test Disproves Minor Status; Investigation Agency to Question Lawrence in Sabarmati Jail

Baba Siddique, a former minister and leader of the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), was shot dead in Mumbai on the night of October 12. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the murder. Out of the four attackers who fired at Baba Siddique, two are from Uttar Pradesh, one from Haryana, and one from Punjab. Two of the shooters have been arrested, and they have confessed to being associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Following this, the investigation agencies are preparing to interrogate Lawrence Bishnoi.

The agencies may question Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently imprisoned in Sabarmati Jail, Ahmedabad. Legal advice is being sought for this, as court approval is required for the interrogation. The arrested shooters have claimed ties with Lawrence Bishnoi, and investigators are trying to determine whether the motive behind Baba Siddique’s murder was his closeness to actor Salman Khan or some other reason.

Gurmel from Haryana and Dharmaraj from Uttar Pradesh were arrested at the crime scene. The search is ongoing for the other accused, Shiva from Uttar Pradesh and Zeeshan from Punjab. The Mumbai court has sent Gurmel to police custody for seven days. Dharmaraj initially claimed to be a minor, but a bone test conducted in front of the magistrate revealed that he is over 18 years old.

Baba Siddique was buried with state honors on October 13 at 10:30 PM in Bada Qabrastan, opposite Marine Lines Station in Mumbai.

Lawrence Gang Claims Responsibility for Baba Siddique’s Murder on Social Media

On Sunday, the Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the murder of Baba Siddique through a social media post. The police are currently investigating the post, which stated, “Those who help Salman Khan and Dawood will not be spared.” The post included hashtags for Lawrence Bishnoi and Anmol.

The post was made by Shubham Lonkar using the ID “Shubu Lonkar Maharashtra.” Mumbai police have arrested Shubham’s brother, Praveen Lonkar (28), from Pune. Both brothers are believed to be involved in the conspiracy to kill Baba Siddique.

After Lawrence Bishnoi’s name surfaced, security around Salman Khan’s residence has been increased. Earlier this year, in April, the Lawrence gang was involved in a firing incident at Salman Khan’s house.

Lawrence Bishnoi to Be Interrogated in Sabarmati Jail Regarding Baba Siddique’s Murder

Lawrence Bishnoi, currently imprisoned in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Jail, is set to be questioned in connection with the murder of Baba Siddique. Bishnoi was involved in a firing incident outside Salman Khan’s residence on April 14. Authorities plan to interrogate him in jail as part of the ongoing investigation.

Baba Siddique was shot dead outside his son Zeeshan’s office in Bandra. He was hit by three bullets. Earlier this year, in February, Siddique had left the Congress party and joined Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction. Siddique had previously served as an MLA from Bandra three times.

Mumbai Police Denies Claims of Y-Category Security for Baba Siddique

Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi claimed that Baba Siddique had been provided with Y-category security, yet he was still murdered. However, DCP Mumbai, Datta Nalawade, dismissed this claim, stating that Siddique had non-category security. 

He was assigned three constables for his protection, and all of them were present at the scene during the incident.

Contract Killing Confirmed: Shiva and Gurmel’s Criminal Ties Uncovered

Mumbai police have confirmed that Baba Siddique’s murder was a contract killing. Shiva and Dharmaraj, both residents of Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, were involved in the murder, although they have no prior criminal records. Gurmel, from Haryana, and Zeeshan Akhtar, from Jalandhar, Punjab, were also implicated. Dharmaraj and Gurmel have been arrested, while Shiva and Zeeshan remain at large. The contract for the killing was allegedly arranged by an unidentified individual.

Shiva had been working for a scrap dealer in Pune for around 5-6 years and had called Dharmaraj to Pune a few months ago. The individual who ordered the killing introduced Gurmel to Shiva and Dharmaraj.

Gurmel, from Kaithal district, had previously murdered a friend’s brother by stabbing him 52 times with ice picks. While in prison, Gurmel came into contact with associates of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. After being released on bail, he went to Mumbai, allegedly on instructions from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, according to police sources.

Baba Siddique Murder Case: Accused Left for Mumbai to Escape Poverty, Became Contract Killers for Lawrence Gang

In the Baba Siddique murder case, two youths from Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, have been identified—Dharmaraj Kashyap and Shivkumar, also known as Shiv Gautam. Both are residents of Gandara village in the Kaiserganj area of the district. They had gone to Mumbai in search of better financial opportunities to support their families.

The story of Gurmel, the shooter from Haryana, adds another chilling layer. His grandmother reportedly remarked, “He should be made to stand at a crossroads and shot,” reflecting the gravity of his involvement in the crime. Gurmel had already been involved in violent crimes and was further entangled with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, eventually taking part in contract killings.

Gurmel Singh: Accused in Baba Siddique’s Murder Disowned by His Family

Gurmel Singh (23), one of the accused in the murder of Baba Siddique, hails from Narad village in Kaithal district, Haryana. On May 31, 2019, Gurmel was imprisoned for murdering his friend’s brother. While in jail, he came into contact with members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. After being released on bail, he moved to Mumbai and became involved in the murder of Siddique.

Upon hearing the news of his involvement in the crime, Gurmel’s grandmother, Phulli Devi, expressed her disapproval, saying, “When he has brought shame to us, he should be made to stand at a crossroads and shot. We have nothing to do with him anymore.”

Lawrence Bishnoi’s Expanding Network Compared to Dawood Ibrahim by NIA

In its report, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has compared Lawrence Bishnoi’s criminal network to that of notorious underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim. The reference appears on page 50 of the report, where it highlights that just like Dawood, Lawrence has expanded his operations significantly.

Dawood Ibrahim, the leader of the infamous D-Company, has been involved in various criminal activities ranging from drug trafficking and extortion to target killings and terrorism. In the 1980s, Dawood started his criminal journey with thefts and robberies before establishing a powerful organized crime syndicate known as D-Company. By the 1990s, his gang had over 500 members, and he had cemented his place as an underworld don with ties to terrorism.

Similarly, the NIA believes that Lawrence Bishnoi is leading an organized terrorist syndicate in northern India. Lawrence started with petty crimes, eventually forming his own gang, and his network has rapidly expanded.

Dawood’s criminal empire grew with the help of Chhota Rajan, and in the same way, Lawrence Bishnoi has expanded his reach across 13 states with the support of associates like Goldy Brar, Sachin Bishnoi, Anmol Bishnoi, Vikram Brar, Kala Jathedi, and Kala Rana.