Baba Siddique Murder: How ex-Maharashtra minister's assassination was being planned for months

Former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique's assassination in Bandra, despite being under Y-category security protection, has raised serious security questions. This attack raised concerns about security measures and involvement of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.

Authorities reported that three individuals—Dharmaraj Kashyap, Shivkumar Gautam, and Gurnail Singh—spent months monitoring Siddique's movements. They conducted reconnaissance of his home and office in Mumbai, staying in the city for up to two months, reported TOI.

Lawrence Bishnoi allegedly financed the operation, providing Rs 50,000 upfront and promising Rs 2 lakh more upon completion. The accused rented a room in Kurla to facilitate the assassination.


The attackers were equipped with photos of Siddique for identification. The plan was in place before September, and Gautam fired six bullets at Siddique, striking him three times, as per the TOI report.

After the shooting, the attackers fled through a Durga Puja procession. They incapacitated Siddique's police guard using pepper spray and attempted to escape. Police officers apprehended Kashyap and Singh in a nearby park.

"Siddique had three cops as security for some time--two on day duty and one at night. He did not alert us of any threat message or call received recently. The attackers seem to have taken advantage of the firecrackers being burst and the crowd on the street," reported TOI, citing a police source from Nirmal Nagar as saying.

Police recovered two automatic pistols, loaded magazines, mobile phones, Aadhaar cards, and a bag from the suspects. There are also claims linking Siddique to Salman Khan and underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim.

The case continues to unfold with ongoing investigations.

(With inputs from TOI)