Mumbai: The murder investigation of NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique has revealed an intricate web of communication involving Anmol Bishnoi, brother of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The Mumbai Police have arrested 10 individuals so far, including two shooters, in connection with the case. Anmol Bishnoi, reportedly operating from Canada and America, is believed to have played a key role in guiding the shooters through Snapchat.
The shooters, who gunned down Siddique outside his son Zeeshan Siddique’s office during Dussehra celebrations, used multiple Snapchat accounts to communicate with Anmol Bishnoi. The image of Zeeshan Siddique, Baba Siddique’s son, was found on the accused’s phone, which Anmol had shared via Snapchat. Despite the uncovering of this digital trail, the exact motive behind the killing remains unclear.
Snapchat Connection and Deleted Messages
Mumbai Police disclosed that the accused were using Snapchat to receive instructions from Anmol Bishnoi. According to the Crime Branch, the shooters would delete the messages immediately after reading them, making it difficult to trace their communication. However, during a close examination of the social media accounts, investigators discovered that Anmol was in direct contact with the shooters and Pravin Lonkar, who allegedly provided logistical support to the assailants.
“After receiving the instruction message, they would delete it immediately,” the police stated, highlighting the measures taken by the accused to maintain secrecy. Four mobile phones have been recovered as part of the investigation, and digital forensics is ongoing to extract further evidence.
Gang’s Facebook Claim and Allegations
The investigation took a twist when a gang member shared a Facebook post claiming that Siddique was targeted due to his close ties with actor Salman Khan and alleged links to underworld figures like Dawood Ibrahim. While these claims have not been confirmed by the authorities, they have added a layer of intrigue to the case, suggesting deeper gang rivalries and underworld connections at play.
Practice Sessions and Online Tutorials
Before the fatal shooting, the three assailants conducted multiple reconnaissance missions of Zeeshan Siddique’s office. Mumbai Police have also revealed that the shooters trained themselves in firearm usage by watching tutorial videos on YouTube while staying in rented accommodation in Kurla, Mumbai. They reportedly conducted at least five practice sessions before carrying out the attack on Siddique.
Accused Still at Large
While the police have made significant progress with the arrest of two shooters, one of the accused remains at large. The search is ongoing, and authorities are intensifying efforts to bring the remaining perpetrator to justice. The arrest of Pravin Lonkar, who is accused of facilitating the shooters’ movements and arrangements, has provided valuable insights into the group’s operations and planning.
A Tragic End on Dussehra
The attack on Baba Siddique took place on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra, while he was outside Zeeshan Siddique’s office bursting firecrackers. His sudden and tragic death has left the political community in shock, and the police’s revelation of the sophisticated planning behind the murder has further raised concerns about the reach of organized crime.
Investigative Focus and Legal Proceedings
With the case unfolding rapidly, the focus now shifts to the legal proceedings against those arrested and the extraction of more information from the recovered phones. The Crime Branch is also examining whether there are any deeper links between the Bishnoi network and other criminal activities in Maharashtra.
The revelations in the investigation have highlighted the use of modern communication tools like Snapchat by criminal networks to avoid detection, posing new challenges for law enforcement agencies. As the hunt continues for the remaining accused, the authorities remain committed to bringing all involved to justice and unraveling the full extent of the conspiracy behind the murder of Baba Siddique.