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The murder of Baba Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister and prominent figure in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), continues to send shockwaves through Mumbai. The city's police are diligently investigating the case, and their efforts have led to the arrest of nine individuals thus far. The latest development involves five suspects who, while initially demanding a substantial sum for carrying out the assassination, ultimately backed out due to disagreements and concerns surrounding Siddique's political influence.
The apprehended individuals, identified as Nitin Gautam Sapre, Sambhaji Kisan Pardhi, Pradeep Dattu Thombre, Chetan Dilip Pardhi, and Ram Fulchand Kanoujia, allegedly provided essential logistical support to the actual perpetrators of the shooting. They are believed to have been part of a module led by Sapre, who initially sought a payment of ₹50 lakh from a mediator in exchange for carrying out the assassination. However, disagreements concerning the payment terms and the realization of the potential repercussions of killing a high-profile politician like Siddique prompted the module to withdraw from the contract.
Despite their decision to back out of the contract, the five accused individuals still played a critical role in facilitating the murder by providing logistical support to the new shooters. Their connection with conspirator Shubham Lonkar and mastermind Mohammed Zeeshan Akhtar further deepens the complexity of the case. The police are currently investigating whether Lonkar and Akhtar brought the proposal to eliminate Siddique to Sapre's module through the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a criminal syndicate known for its involvement in organized crime and violence.
The murder of Baba Siddique has raised significant concerns about security and law enforcement in Mumbai. The investigation is ongoing, and the police are pursuing all possible leads to apprehend the remaining suspects, including the main shooter Shivkumar Gautam, and bring them to justice. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with political figures in India, where violence and criminal activity can intersect with political ambition.