Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai: The two suspects arrested for the murder of former state minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique have revealed that they were instructed to eliminate his Congress MLA son, Zeeshan Siddique, as well if they encountered him during the attack. Dharmaraj Kashyap and Gurmail Singh, the suspects, made this disclosure during their preliminary interrogation, according to police officials.
The suspects stated that their primary target was Baba Siddique, but if they had found both father and son together, they were ordered to kill both. “This points to a more coordinated and far-reaching plot, with the attack potentially serving as a message to high-profile figures, including actor Salman Khan,” a police official involved in the investigation said.
Zeeshan Siddique Had Requested Increased Security
Zeeshan Siddique had written to the state intelligence department (SID) in September, expressing concerns about his safety. As a sitting MLA, Zeeshan already had a police officer assigned for protection. However, after his request for additional security, the Mumbai police forwarded his concerns to SID, which conducted a security audit and decided to enhance his protection.
“In the second week of September, Zeeshan’s security was increased to Y-plus, which includes round-the-clock protection by three armed constables,” a police source confirmed. Authorities are now examining what prompted Zeeshan to seek heightened security and whether this deterred the shooters from attacking him, as he left his office just minutes before his father on the day of the attack.
Details of the Attack on Baba Siddique
On Saturday, Zeeshan had informed his father that he was heading to a nearby eatery with friends. Shortly after, Baba Siddique was preparing to leave his office when the attackers, who had been lying in wait for nearly half an hour, carried out the murder. The attack took place in the presence of a lone police officer, Shyam Sonawane.
Police believe that the arrests of key figures such as Shubam Lonkar and Zeeshan Akhtar could shed further light on the motive behind the assassination.
Security Heightened for Salman Khan Following Siddique’s Murder
Meanwhile, Navi Mumbai police have reviewed and enhanced security at Salman Khan’s farmhouse in Waje village, Panvel, following Siddique’s murder. Baba Siddique was reportedly close to Khan, and police have indicated that additional security will be provided whenever Khan or his family members visit the location. Authorities are exploring leads that suggest the murder may have been a contract killing ordered by jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
