The Mumbai Crime Branch has made a significant development in the murder case of Baba Siddique, arresting a third suspect, Pravin Lonkar, in Pune on Sunday evening. The arrest comes in the wake of the shocking assassination of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, who was gunned down in a brazen attack that has sent shockwaves through the political landscape.
Background Of The Arrest
Pravin Lonkar is the brother of Shubham Lonkar, who had earlier taken to Facebook to claim responsibility for Siddique’s murder. Police have identified a total of six suspects involved in the crime, with three already arrested: Gurmail Singh, Dharmaraj Kashyap, and now Pravin Lonkar. The remaining three suspects Shubham Lonkar, Shiv Kumar Gautam, and Mohammad Zeeshan Akhtar are still at large, prompting a massive manhunt.
Authorities revealed that Dharmaraj Kashyap and Shiv Kumar Gautam were employed at a scrap shop located adjacent to Pravin Lonkar’s dairy shop. The investigation suggests that Pravin and Shubham Lonkar orchestrated the murder, hiring Kashyap and Gautam to carry out the hit.
Shocking Attack On Politician
Baba Siddique was attacked on Saturday near his son Zeeshan Siddique’s office in Bandra East. According to witnesses, three assailants arrived in a vehicle with their faces covered. Within moments, Shiv Kumar opened fire with a 9.9 mm pistol, shooting a total of six rounds. Tragically, three bullets struck Siddique, resulting in severe injuries to his chest. Despite being rushed to Lilavati Hospital, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The shocking nature of the attack carried out in broad daylight during Dussehra celebrations, has raised serious questions about public safety and law enforcement in Maharashtra.
Political And Public Response
The murder has elicited strong reactions from political figures and the public alike. Congress leader Rashid Alvi has called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry, highlighting the urgent need for accountability amid rising crime rates. The brutal execution of the attack has left many questioning the effectiveness of security measures for public officials.
The incident has also drawn attention from Bollywood, with several celebrities paying their respects at Siddique’s home. Salman Khan, visibly affected by the tragedy, visited the grieving family, supported by fellow stars such as Shehnaaz Gill and Urvashi Rautela. Their presence underscored the profound impact of Siddique’s untimely death on both the political and entertainment communities.
Who Was Baba Siddique?
Baba Siddique, a prominent political figure, was born on September 13, 1958, in Patna. He moved to Mumbai in his youth and began his political career by joining the Congress party in 1977. Throughout his career, he served multiple terms as an MLA for the Bandra West constituency and held significant roles, including Minister of Food and Civil Supplies and Minister of State for Labour.
Siddique’s legacy includes a dedication to public service and a commitment to his constituents, making his sudden death a major loss to the community he served for decades.
Ongoing Investigation Efforts
As the investigation progresses, the Mumbai Police have deployed multiple teams across Maharashtra to track down the remaining suspects and gather more evidence. Authorities are particularly focused on identifying individuals who may have provided support to the assailants. Two pistols and 28 live rounds were recovered from the arrested suspects, indicating a high level of planning behind the attack.
