Who are the 10 nabbed & what the plot to kill Baba Siddique reveals so far

Nearly two weeks have passed since National Congress Party (NCP) politician Ziauddin ‘Baba’ Siddique was shot dead outside his son, MLA Zeeshan Siddique’s office in Kherwadi in Mumbai on the Dussehra night. The ongoing investigation has revealed a well-coordinated operation across multiple states and involving at least a dozen individuals with links to the dreaded Lawrence Bishnoi gang.So far, 10 people have been arrested, including the two shooters — Gurmail Baljit Singh and Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap — who were apprehended near the crime scene just hours after the attack. Singh, originally from Kaithal, Haryana, was previously arrested for a murder in 2019 and reportedly became involved with the Bishnoi gang in jail. Kashyap, from Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, had moved to Pune for work, where he likely came into contact with the gang.The investigation also highlights the role of the Lonkar brothers from Pune, who are alleged to have coordinated the logistics. Pravin Lonkar was arrested during a pre-dawn raid on October 13, while his brother Shubham Lonkar remains at large.Police claim the brothers provided accommodation and weapons to the shooters and were involved in procuring firearms through Bhagwat Singh Om Singh, a scrap dealer from Udaipur who was arrested in Navi Mumbai on October 20. Singh is believed to have assisted with transporting the weapons to Mumbai.Investigators suspect Mohammed Zeeshan Akhtar to be the mastermind. Akhtar, who is still at large, is said to have coordinated the operation, assigning roles and recruiting individuals from different states. On October 18, Mumbai police arrested five suspects — Nitin Gautam Sapre, Sambhaji Kisan Pardhi, Chetan Dilip Pardhi, Pradeep Dattu Thombre and Ram Fulchand Kanoujia — in Panvel and Karjat for allegedly providing firearms, logistical support, and tracking Siddique’s movements.The financial arrangements behind the plot are being attributed to Harish Kumar Balakram Nisad, who was arrested in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, on October 14. Police allege that Nisad managed funds and arranged rental accommodations for the shooters in Mumbai. Investigators say he worked closely with the Lonkar brothers and Akhtar to finalise the logistics during meetings held in Pune.Meanwhile, efforts are on to track down Shubham Lonkar and Shivkumar Gautam, a key shooter, who remain at large. Authorities suspect that Lonkar organised weapons training for the team in Azerbaijan and Nepal. Mumbai Police are also expanding their investigation into Haryana, Bihar and Rajasthan to identify further connections among the arrested suspects and the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. 114504137 114504313 medium nocaption114504370Investigators are still piecing together the motive behind the murder, with several angles emerging. Some reports suggest land disputes may have played a role, while other leads point to underworld connections. As investigations continue, here’s a look at the 10 accused who have been arrested, so far.Two suspects arrested hours after the killing on October 13 near the crime sceneGurmail Baljit Singh, Shooter, Age: 23Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap, Shooter, Age: 18/19 Mumbai Police arrested Gurmail Baljit Singh on Sunday, October 13, along with Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap from UP. The duo was apprehended shortly after the shooting. Police recovered firearms used in the crime. Three weapons were recovered from the accused: an Australian-made Glock, a Turkish pistol and a locally-made firearm. The weapons were reportedly procured by the accused through coordinated efforts involving multiple states, with some transported from Udaipur in Rajasthan to Mumbai by conspirators associated with the Bishnoi gang.Singh, from Kaithal, Haryana, was arrested for a murder in 2019 and released on bail after four years. In 2022, he was booked for possessing a mobile phone in jail and was also involved in assaulting a youth. His grandmother, Phuli Devi, told mediapersons that after his father’s death, Singh was raised by his uncle’s family but was evicted for troublesome behaviour over a decade ago. She disowned him, saying: “He is nothing to us now,” and demanded severe punishment. Singh reportedly came into contact with the Bishnoi gang during his incarceration and became involved in their operations after being released.Kashyap, originally from Bahraich, UP, relocated to Pune, where he worked in a scrapyard. His family claimed they had lost touch with him after he moved to Pune, adding that his only recent visit was during Holi earlier this year. Beyond that brief encounter, they had no further contact with him. It remains unclear when Kashyap became involved with the Bishnoi gang. On the day of his arrest, Kashyap claimed he was a minor, prompting the court to order a bone ossification test. This medical procedure, which estimates age by analysing bone fusion, confirmed that Kashyap is not a minor, which allows police to pursue the case without restrictions tied to juvenile status.Third suspect arrested the same October 13 night in Pune Pravin Lonkar, Provided logistical support, Age: 28Mumbai Crime Branch arrested Pravin Lonkar from his residence in Pune during a pre-dawn raid. According to the police, Pravin and his brother Shubham had provided accommodation to Kashyap and Shivkumar Gautam in Pune. They also allegedly collaborated with Akhtar — the alleged mastermind who is at large — to supply the firearms used in the murder.Shubham had earlier posted on social media, claiming the killing was motivated by Siddique’s alleged links with Dawood Ibrahim and the suicide of Anuj Thappan, a former suspect in a Salman Khan-related case. However, the post was quickly deleted.In court, public prosecutor SN Vaidya stated the need for Pravin’s custody to locate his brother and unravel the full extent of the conspiracy. Police also informed the court that they intend to take Lonkar to Haryana, Bihar and Rajasthan to trace his connections with the Bishnoi gang. Hindustan Times reports that In January this year, Shubham and Pravin were arrested by the Akola police in Maharashtra under the Arms Act for supplying weapons to other criminals. During the investigation, police discovered evidence that Shubham had established contact with Bishnoi. Shubham reportedly told investigators that after joining the Bishnoi gang, he was sent for weapons training in Azerbaijan and Nepal. However, both brothers were released on bail a month after their arrest. Following their release, Akola police for some reason ceased to monitor their activities, enabling them to reconnect with criminal networks and continue their involvement in illegal operations.Fourth suspect arrested in UP the next day on October 14 Harish Kumar Balakram Nisad, Provided financial and logistical support, Age: 23Harish Kumar Balakram Nisad was arrested from Gandara village in Bahraich district, UP, on October 14, and brought to Mumbai the next day. Police allege that Nisad provided financial and logistical support to the shooters.Police allege that Nisad attended meetings with Pravin, Shubham and the three shooters at Pravin’s dairy in Pune. A month before the murder, Nisad travelled to Mumbai to make logistical arrangements. He secured rental accommodation for the shooters in Kurla and facilitated the Leave and Licence Agreement for the rent using their identity documents.Nisad also provided ₹2 lakh in cash, sourced from the Lonkar brothers, to cover the shooters' daily expenses during their stay. His arrested accomplice, Kashyap, and the absconding shooter, Gautam, also hail from Bahraich district, indicating a coordinated effort across multiple states.According to the police, Nisad moved to Pune seven years ago, initially working at a scrap dealer's shop before starting his own scrap business near Pravin’s dairy. This proximity led to their acquaintance. Two years ago, Gautam joined their circle, and Kashyap moved in five months before the murder, living with Nisad and Gautam. After the assassination, Nisad shut down his shop and fled to his native village, where he was apprehended.Five suspects arrested in a coordinated raid on October 18 in in Panvel and Karjat, Raigad districtOn Friday, October 18, Mumbai Police arrested five individuals for supplying firearms and offering logistical support to the shooters. The arrested individuals are:Nitin Gautam Sapre (32) – From DombivliSambhaji Kisan Pardhi (44) – From AmbernathPradeep Dattu Thombre (37) – From AmbernathChetan Dilip Pardhi (27) – From AmbernathRam Fulchand Kanoujia (43) – From Panvel, RaigadAccording to police, the crime module led by Nitin Gautam Sapre initially demanded ₹50 lakh from a mediator to carry out the assassination. However, the deal fell through due to disagreements over the payment, leading the group to back out of the contract. Sapre was also reportedly concerned that assassinating Baba Siddique would draw significant public and law enforcement attention, complicating matters for his team.Despite stepping away from the murder contract, the group provided logistical support to the new shooters. This included arranging accommodations and assisting with firearms procurement. Investigators revealed that Sapre’s group maintained contact with key conspirators Shubham and Akhtar up until the shooting.Crime branch sources revealed that the five arrested individuals were initially unfamiliar with the shooters but were introduced by Shubham and Akhtar. These individuals remained in contact with the shooters throughout the operation and even conducted shooting practice together. Sapre and Kanoujia maintained constant contact with Shubham, who tasked them with arranging weapons for the assassination. Reports suggest that Shubham also recruited Gautam, the primary shooter, and Kashyap, while Akhtar sent Gurmail Baljit Singh from Punjab to Pune to participate in the crime.Before the murder, two of the five arrested suspects, along with the three shooters, conducted a recce of Siddique’s office. Sapre and Kanoujia personally monitored Siddique’s house and office on two occasions, taking photos and videos that were forwarded to Shubham Lonkar. This surveillance was used to finalise the operation.Sapre, Sambhaji Pardhi and Chetan Pardhi were previously implicated in the 2015 murder of a certain Somnath Pardhi. After serving time in prison, they met Kanoujia, and upon their release on bail in 2017, they began working together. These connections eventually positioned them to participate in the assassination conspiracy.Authorities are now investigating whether Shubham and Akhtar brought the assassination plot to Sapre’s group through their links to the Bishnoi gang. The involvement of Sapre’s team is being probed further to determine the extent of their contributions beyond logistics. The five suspects were taken into custody and are currently under interrogation to uncover additional links within the gang and other conspirators still at large. medium nocaption11451211210th suspect arrested in Navi Mumbai on October 20Bhagwat Singh Om Singh, Provided weapons and logistical support, Age: 32 According to police, the crime module led by Nitin Gautam Sapre initially demanded ₹50 lakh from a mediator to carry out the assassination. However, the deal fell through due to disagreements over the payment, leading the group to back out of the contract. Sapre was also reportedly concerned that assassinating Baba Siddique would draw significant public and law enforcement attention, complicating matters for his team.Despite stepping away from the murder contract, the group provided logistical support to the new shooters. This included arranging accommodations and assisting with firearms procurement. Investigators revealed that Sapre’s group maintained contact with key conspirators Shubham and Akhtar up until the shooting.Crime branch sources revealed that the five arrested individuals were initially unfamiliar with the shooters but were introduced by Shubham and Akhtar. These individuals remained in contact with the shooters throughout the operation and even conducted shooting practice together. Sapre and Kanoujia maintained constant contact with Shubham, who tasked them with arranging weapons for the assassination. Reports suggest that Shubham also recruited Shivkumar Gautam, the primary shooter, and Kashyap, while Akhtar sent Gurmail Baljit Singh from Punjab to Pune to participate in the crime.Before the murder, two of the five arrested suspects, along with the three shooters, conducted a recce of Siddique’s office. Sapre and Kanoujia personally monitored Siddique’s house and office on two occasions, taking photos and videos that were forwarded to Shubham Lonkar. This surveillance was used to finalise the operation.Sapre, Sambhaji Pardhi and Chetan Pardhi were previously implicated in the 2015 murder of a certain Somnath Pardhi. After serving time in prison, they met Kanoujia, and upon their release on bail in 2017, they began working together. These connections eventually positioned them to participate in the assassination conspiracy.Authorities are now investigating whether Shubham and Akhtar brought the assassination plot to Sapre’s group through their links to the Bishnoi gang. The involvement of Sapre’s team is being probed further to determine the extent of their contributions beyond logistics. The five suspects were taken into custody and are currently under interrogation to uncover additional links within the gang and other conspirators still at large. medium nocaption114512302