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Baba Siddique murder: Mumbai police issues lookout notice against absconding conspirator

Police on the lookout for absconding shooter Shivkumar Gautam. Apparently, shooters learnt to use guns watching YouTube videos

(file) Security personnel outside the residence of Baba Siddique where his body is kept in Mumbai | PTI

The Mumbai police have issued a lookout notice against an absconding member of Lawrence Bishnoi gang who allegedly took part in the conspiracy to murder veteran Maharashtra politician Baba Siddique. Earlier, police had arrested the absconding suspect’s brother in connection with the probe.

The Mumbai police has issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against Shubham Lonkar, an absconding accused in the case. Police are continuously searching for the accused, a senior Mumbai police official told ANI. The Crime Branch probing the case has so far arrested four, including two shooters, in connection with the murder and are on the lookout for another shooter. It was Shubham who posted on social media claiming responsibility for Siddique’s murder.

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Police have so far arrested four persons – Haryana resident Gurmail Baljit Singh, Uttar Pradesh native Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap, both alleged shooters; Harishkumar Balakram Nisad (23), and ‘co-conspirator’ and Shubham’s brother Pravin Lonkar, who hails from Pune in connection with the probe. Police are also on the lookout for another suspected shooter, Shivkumar Gautam. According to police, it was Gautam who trained the other shooters to use guns. 

Police probe revealed Gautam was hired as ‘main shooter’ and he learnt to use guns during celebratory firings at Uttar Pradesh weddings. He trained the other two shooters. The accused rented a house in Kurla and conducted dry practice, police said. The accused learnt to load guns by watching YouTube videos, they added. 

The former Maharashtra minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader was shot dead by assailants outside his son Zeeshan Siddique’s office on Saturday night. Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the murder and he was allegedly targeted for his close ties with Bollywood actor Salman Khan, another celebrity on the gang’s hit list.