In a critical turn of events surrounding the assassination of NCP leader Baba Siddique, the Mumbai Police have unveiled the identity of a fourth suspect: Mohammad Zeeshan Akhtar. This heinous act unfolded in the bustling heart of Mumbai last night, where Siddique, a seasoned politician and thrice-elected MLA from Bandra West, was brutally gunned down. His legacy carries on through his son, Zeeshan Siddique, the current MLA representing Bandra East.
The brazen execution involved three shooters, one of whom, Gurmel Singh, hails from the remote village of Narad in Haryana’s Kaithal district. The other two assailants originate from the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh. While Gurmel and a second gunman, Dharmaraj, have been apprehended, the third, Shivkumar, remains elusive, shrouded in the shadows of the crime. Moreover, the investigation has cast a wide net, uncovering ties to Jalandhar and revealing Akhtar’s integral role in the plot.
Arrested in 2022 for charges related to organized crime, murder, and robbery, Akhtar resurfaced after serving time in Patiala Jail. Sources indicate he had affiliations with the notorious Lawrence gang, with whispers of his release on June 7 propelling him into a web of criminal activity.
According to police intelligence, Akhtar did not merely play a passive role; he orchestrated the shooting, supplying vital information regarding Siddique’s whereabouts, even going so far as to facilitate logistical arrangements for the attackers, including the procurement of rental accommodations.
The Mumbai Police have made significant strides in their investigation, announcing the arrest of two suspects while another remains at large. They are probing various angles, especially connections to the feared gangster, Lawrence Bishnoi. The incident occurred between 9 and 9:30 PM, mere steps from Siddique’s son’s office, under the jurisdiction of the Nirmal Nagar police station.
An official statement detailed that an offense has been formally registered, with the inquiry now in the hands of the Crime Branch. Immediate actions led to the detainment of two individuals at the scene, along with the seizure of two pistols and a staggering 28 rounds of ammunition. The apprehended suspects, though armed with pepper spray, resorted to gunfire when the confrontation escalated, ignoring the presence of three constables who, despite being on guard, were rendered ineffective at that dire moment.
Tragically, one other individual suffered injuries amidst the chaos of gunfire. The ramifications of this act are profound, as the Crime Branch moves to register the case under multiple legal frameworks, including relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Arms Act, and the Maharashtra Police Act.
The dire implications of this incident ring alarm bells in the corridors of power, with the call for justice resounding amidst the smoke of gunfire and the shadows of calculated malice that have engulfed the city.
