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Journalism of Courage
MOMENTS BEFORE they opened fire on NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, the shooters distracted the three policemen guarding him by bursting a “firecracker” that caused a smokescreen, according to police sources.
Siddique, a three-time former MLA, had stepped out of the office of his son and Bandra (E) MLA Zeeshan Siddique and was walking to his car when the three shooters fired six to seven rounds at him Saturday night. Siddique sustained multiple injuries and was taken to Lilavati Hospital, where he died during treatment.
According to a Head Constable Shyam Magan Sonawane, 47, who was among the three policemen engaged in Siddique’s security, one of the shooters set off a “smoke firecracker” to distract them. In his statement to police,
Sonawane said that as they were momentarily distracted, the shooters opened fire at Siddique.
“When I asked Siddique’s driver to bring the vehicle ahead, one of the accused lit a firecracker-like item, which immediately set off smoke around them. My eyes experienced irritation and began watering. I thought someone had lit a firecracker in celebration. That was when the assailants opened fire on Siddique,” said Sonawane in his statement.
Sonawane is also the complainant in the FIR filed by Mumbai Police at Nirmal Nagar police station. The statement of another policeman posted in Siddique’s security has also been recorded.
Police have so far arrested three men: shooters Gurmail Singh and Dharmaraj Kashyap, and co-conspirator Pravin Lonkar. The killing was suspected to have been carried out by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Bishnoi is currently serving time in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Central Prison.
A gang member and suspected key conspirator, Shubham Lonkar, claimed responsibility for the murder in a social media post. He is currently absconding. One of the arrested accused, Pravin Lonkar, is Shubham’s brother.
Two more men — Shivkumar Gautam and Mohamed Zeeshan Akhtar— are wanted in the case. While Gautam was one of the three shooters in Bandra, Akhtar is believed to have received the contract to kill Siddique.
Further investigation is underway.
Mumbai: The Esplanade court in Mumbai sent Pravin Lonkar, the third accused in the Baba Siddique murder case, to police custody till 21 October. On Moday, Lonkar was produced before the court after a medical checkup. He was arrested from Pune on Sunday by the Crime Branch. Police told court that Lonkar and his brother were connected with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. —ENS
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