Pune: In a significant development in the murder case of former State Minister Baba Siddiqui, police have arrested two suspects, identified as Monu and Gullu, from Pune’s Warje area.
However, their direct involvement in the assassination is yet to be confirmed. The arrest brings the total number of individuals detained in connection with Siddiqui’s murder to five.
Baba Siddiqui, a leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and former Maharashtra minister, was shot dead outside his office in Nirmal Nagar, Mumbai, on the night of Saturday, October 12.
The incident triggered an immediate police response, leading to the arrest of two shooters, Gurmel Singh and Dharamraj Kashyap, both of whom were taken into custody shortly after the attack. The police had already arrested a third suspect on Sunday from Pune, and two more suspects are still at large.
According to authorities, Monu and Gullu, the latest individuals arrested, had been staying with the three suspects already in custody for the murder. Police are now conducting further investigations to ascertain their involvement in the planning or execution of the assassination.
Meanwhile, Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch has uncovered the alleged role of Pune residents Praveen Lonkar and his brother Shubham Lonkar in orchestrating the murder.
The Lonkar brothers are believed to have provided financial backing to the killers and held meetings with them in the days leading up to the shooting.
Praveen Lonkar reportedly posted on social media that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang had claimed responsibility for the assassination, further complicating the investigation. Shubham Lonkar remains on the run.
Police sources indicate that the two suspects arrested in Pune were allegedly provided shelter by Praveen Lonkar. The exact motive behind the murder is still under investigation, and the authorities hope to gain more clarity once the remaining fugitives are caught.
Baba Siddiqui was admitted to Lilavati Hospital after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds but was declared dead later that night.