Mumbai Police intensifies manhunt for Baba Siddique's killers in Madhya Pradesh

In a swift response to the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, a joint team of Mumbai Police and Madhya Pradesh Police has launched extensive search operations across Ujjain and Khargone in Madhya Pradesh. The focus is on apprehending the suspected shooter, Shivkumar Gautam, who is believed to be hiding in the region.

The police teams arrived in Ujjain on Sunday, enlisting the support of local authorities to aid in their search. They concentrated on significant locations, including places of worship, hotels, marketplaces, and railway stations in both Ujjain and Khandwa. According to police sources, multiple teams have been deployed to enhance their search efforts, reflecting the urgency of the situation.

Siddique, a 66-year-old leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was shot dead by three assailants outside his son Zeeshan Siddique's office in Kher Nagar, Bandra, on Saturday. The assailants reportedly fled the scene immediately after the shooting. Following the incident, three suspects—Gurmail Baljit Singh from Haryana, Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap from Uttar Pradesh, and Pravin Lonkar from Pune—were arrested in connection with the case.

Lonkar, 28, was apprehended by the Mumbai Police Crime Branch in Pune and subsequently presented before the Esplanade Court, which remanded him to police custody until October 21. Investigators revealed that the Lonkar brothers allegedly played a crucial role in the conspiracy to kill Siddique by recruiting the hitmen involved.

The police are actively seeking additional suspects, including Shivkumar and their handler, Mohammed Zishan Akhtar, who remain at large. The investigation has taken a grim turn as Lawrence Bishnoi, a notorious criminal, claimed responsibility for the assassination shortly after it occurred. This revelation has raised concerns about possible mafia involvement, particularly given previous threats against Siddique and his son.

The assassination has sparked outrage and political turmoil, especially amid the backdrop of ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The police continue to heighten their vigilance, monitoring various locations for further developments in this high-profile case. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring justice for Baba Siddique and restoring order to the political landscape of Maharashtra.