Shooters were told to target Baba Siddique or son Zeeshan: Police

An officer said police have found photographs of Zeeshan and his vehicle number on the snapchat account used by one of the accused. When questioned about it, the accused told them that they were asked to kill either the father or son. “During their recce, they found that it was easier to attack Baba Siddique in the 200-metre stretch when he walked to and from his vehicle,” the officer said.

A view of the location where NCP leader Baba Siddique was shot at. (Express photo)

When the police asked Baba Siddique’s family members why did he preferred to walk the 200-metre stretch, they said he felt it gave him time and space to interact with young party workers.

The police further said so far in their probe the main motive behind killing Baba Siddique appears to be Lawrence Bishnoi trying to create a fear psychosis in the city to begin extortion activities.

On why the shooters killed Baba Siddique while in Salman Khan’s case, they fired outside his residence and fled, an officer said that “it is only when someone is killed that others get scared and agree to extortion demands”.

The officer, however, said they are also exploring the angle of a dispute arising out of a Slum Rehabilitation Authority project in Bandra. In August, an FIR had been registered against Zeeshan for allegedly opposing SRA officials from carrying out a survey of the plot.

So far, the police have arrested nine persons in the case, including two who accompanied one Shivkumar Gautam who fired at Baba Siddique. The police have found the Turkish made pistol and glock that were sent from Rajasthan and handed over to the shooters.

Currently, the police are on the lookout for Gautam, one Shubham Lonkar and Zeeshan Akhtar with the last two suspected to be in direct contact with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. An officer said they are also making efforts to get the custody of Lawrence Bishnoi who is currently lodged at the Sabarmati prison in Gujarat.

PTI adds: The five accused arrested in connection with Baba Siddique murder case the day before had demanded `50 lakh for the job, but backed out later due to disagreement over payment and also considering the slain politician’s clout, officers said.

The five accused, residents of various areas of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, had prima facie provided logistical support to the shooters and were paid `5 lakh, a crime branch official said on Saturday. They were identified as Nitin Gautam Sapre (32), Sambhaji Kisan Pardhi (44), Pradeep Dattu Thombre (37), Chetan Dilip Pardhi and Ram Fulchand Kanoujia (43). According to crime branch officials, except Thombre, four others have criminal backgrounds.