In the Baba Siddique murder case, an ossification test confirmed that accused Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap is an adult, countering initial claims of him being a minor. Siddique, a former minister, was shot dead in Mumbai, sparking political outrage and calls for accountability as the investigation explores ties to organized crime and potential motives.
Mumbai: In a significant development in the Baba Siddique murder case, the ossification test conducted on accused Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap has confirmed that he is not a minor. This revelation came after Kashyap, along with Gurmail Baljit Singh (23) and another accomplice, was produced before the court by the Mumbai Crime Branch. Initially, Kashyap’s lawyer had claimed he was underage, prompting the court to order the ossification test. However, the test results have now established that he is an adult.
The Assassination of Baba Siddique
Sixty-six-year-old Baba Siddique, a prominent political figure and former Maharashtra minister, was shot dead outside his son Zeeshan Siddique’s office in Bandra, Mumbai, on Saturday night. The killing shocked the state, especially as Siddique had recently switched from Congress to the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). According to police reports, three men waylaid Siddique at Kher Nagar before opening fire. The attack resulted in Siddique’s immediate death, sending shockwaves through political circles and the public.
The Arrest and Investigation
The Mumbai Police quickly arrested three suspects: Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap, Gurmail Baljit Singh, and Pravin Lonkar, all linked to the murder. While Shivkumar Gautam, another accused, remains absconding, the police have launched a manhunt to apprehend him. Twenty-eight-year-old Pravin Lonkar, from Pune, has been described by authorities as a “co-conspirator” in the assassination. Police reports suggest that the Lonkar brothers, Pravin and Shubham, played a central role in orchestrating the murder, enlisting Kashyap and Gautam to execute the plan.
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Investigators are also examining a potential link to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang after a social media post from a purported member of the gang claimed responsibility for Siddique’s murder. The Bishnoi gang had previously been implicated in a firing incident outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s Mumbai residence earlier this year. Given Siddique’s close connections with Bollywood celebrities such as Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Sanjay Dutt, authorities are considering various motives, including personal, political, and criminal elements.
Multiple Angles Under Investigation
As the police probe the murder from different angles, questions surrounding the motive continue to swirl. A senior officer hinted at the possibility of the assassination being a contract killing, possibly tied to business or political rivalry. Siddique was known to have been involved in a slum rehabilitation project, which some officials believe may have contributed to the tensions leading to his death.
Meanwhile, the shooters used a 9.9 mm pistol, firing four to five rounds at Siddique. The weapon was later recovered by the police, who continue their forensic investigation to identify more details about the weapon’s origin and usage.
In addition to the local investigation, the Delhi Police’s Special Cell is also expected to assist with the case, given the potential connections to organized crime networks like the Bishnoi gang.
Political Fallout and Opposition’s Response
The assassination of Baba Siddique has ignited a political storm in Maharashtra, particularly as the state gears up for assembly elections next month. Opposition parties, including the Congress, have accused the ruling coalition of failing to maintain law and order. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to social media to express his outrage, stating, “This horrifying incident exposes the complete collapse of law and order in Maharashtra. The government must take responsibility, and justice must prevail.”
Maharashtra Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge echoed Gandhi’s sentiments, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also serves as the home minister. Kharge insisted that accountability must be established, and those responsible for Siddique’s murder must be swiftly brought to justice.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, a key ally of Congress in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), added that the Shinde government’s actions regarding the murder have raised serious questions about its commitment to maintaining public safety.
Ruling Parties Push Back
In response, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the NCP have vowed that Siddique’s killers will face severe consequences. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar urged against politicizing the tragedy, stating, “This is not just a political loss, it’s a deeply personal tragedy that has shaken us all.” Similarly, BJP leaders like Syed Shahnawaz Hussain criticized the opposition for making “insensitive remarks on such a sensitive issue.”
Fadnavis, while acknowledging the gravity of the situation, assured the public that law enforcement agencies are diligently pursuing all leads. “Some angles behind the attack are found, but police will talk about it once the legal procedure is over,” he said, urging patience as the investigation unfolds.
Conclusion
The murder of Baba Siddique, the first high-profile political assassination in Mumbai in three decades, has highlighted the fragile state of law and order in Maharashtra. As the investigation progresses, authorities are piecing together evidence to determine the true motive behind the crime. With political tensions rising and opposition parties calling for accountability, the outcome of this case will have far-reaching consequences for the state’s political landscape and the safety of its leaders.
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