Baba Siddique murder: Maharashtra CM vows those behind killing ‘not be spared’ as police identify five accused

Eknath Shinde, the Chief Minister of India’s Maharashtra, has vowed that those responsible for the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique will “not be spared”.

Addressing the state’s law and order situation, Shinde on Sunday (Oct 13) said that his government is committed to ensuring public safety.

“Yesterday’s incident of Baba Siddique’s murder is unfortunate and sad,” said the Maharashtra CM.

He confirmed that two people had been arrested for the murder.

“Mumbai Police has arrested two people, one is from UP and the other from Haryana. The third accused is absconding. He will be arrested soon,” he added.

The third co-conspirator, identified as 28-year-old Pravin Lonkar was arrested later on Sunday.

Shinde said those responsible “will not be spared no matter who they are, be it the Bishnoi gang or any underworld gang. Strict action will be taken. Those who are receiving threats, their safety is the state government’s responsibility and it will fulfil its responsibility.”

Mumbai police have already identified five suspects in connection with Siddique’s murder.

Police is on the lookout for Shubham Lonkar, a co-conspirator in the case, and the brother of Pravin Lonkar, the man arrested on Sunday.

On Sunday, a crime branch official, as reported by PTI, said that Pravin and Shubham “enlisted” two alleged shooters – UP resident Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap and Shivkumar Gautam for the killing.

Another alleged shooter, Gurmail Baljit Singh, a native of Haryana, has also been arrested.

Opposition parties have lashed out at the Maharashtra government over the murder of the NCP leader. 

On Monday (Oct 14), Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, alleged that under the current government gang wars and underworld influence have risen in Mumbai.

He also challenged Shine to confront the conspirators and prove his “Singhamgiri”.

“I had said earlier also that under this government, gang wars and the power of the underworld in Mumbai can increase. This government also has the support of the underworld, and that underworld is being run from Gujarat,” said Raut.

“He (CM Shinde) declared himself Singham after shooting Akshay Shinde (accused in Badlapur sexual assault case). Now show this ‘Singhamgiri’ here. If you have the courage and you are a man, then encounter the conspirators of Baba Siddiqui’s murder case,” he said.