Social media post hints purported Bishnoi gang link; probe on

PTI New Delhi: A court here on Sunday remanded one of the two accused arrested for allegedly shooting dead former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique to police custody till October 21. The court directed the police to conduct a bone ossification test to determine the age of the second accused after he claimed to be a minor. The Mumbai Police are verifying a social media post, attributed to a purported member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, owning up to the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique.

The crime branch is also probing various angles, including a possible contract killing, business or political rivalry or threat over a slum rehabilitation project, officials said on Sunday. NCP leader Siddique, 66, was shot at in Bandra prima facie by three assailants on Saturday night. He was declared dead in hospital. Police have recovered two pistols and 28 live cartridges from the two accused arrested so far.“Police have set up 15 teams which are fanned out of Maharashtra and the investigation is on to identify who provided logistical support to the shooters. Two pistols and 28 live rounds were recovered from the accused,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (crime branch) Datta Nalawade.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said police have found some leads in connection with the killing of Siddique and different angles are being probed. The murder of the NCP leader, who represented Bandra (West) seat three times as Congress MLA, is suspected to be a preplanned act, a police official said. Police have come across a viral post on social media in the name of an alleged member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang claiming responsibility for Baba Siddique’s murder. “We have seen the viral social media post, we are verifying its authenticity,” the official said.