Baba Siddique Murder: accused surveyed NCP leader's residence; 28 live rounds recovered

Baba Siddique, a 66-year-old politician from the Ajit Pawar-led National Congress Party (NCP), was shot dead outside his son's office in Bandra, Mumbai, on Saturday. According to DCP Crime Branch Datta Nalawade, the attackers fired six shots, three of which hit Siddique. Two suspects, Gurmail Singh and Dharamraj Kashyap, were arrested immediately and are in police custody until October 21. 

The Mumbai police are investigating the possible involvement of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, as one of his gang members claimed responsibility for the murder in a social media post. Interestingly, this attack took place on a busy Dussehra night when two major political figures, CM Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray, were giving speeches at their rallies, which raised security concerns in the city.

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Details of the investigation

Here are ten key points about the murder case:

1. The attack was pre-planned, and the shooters received their guns 15 days before the crime.
2. Police recovered two pistols and 28 bullets from the suspects. 
3. A holiday court remanded Gurmail Singh and Dharamraj Kashyap to police custody until October 21.
4. Reports suggest the shooters were staying in a rented house in Kurla, paying ₹14,000 monthly, and were given ₹50,000 each for the attack.
5. The accused had been in Mumbai for about 25-30 days, scouting the area around Siddique's home and office.
6. One of the shooters, Dharamraj Kashyap, claimed to be a minor, prompting police to conduct an age verification test.
7. The suspects arrived at the crime scene in an auto rickshaw and waited before shooting Siddique.
8. Forensic teams have been collecting evidence, including reviewing CCTV footage from the area.
9. Siddique had received a death threat 15 days prior, leading to an upgrade in his security, which included a police constable.
10. Maharashtra DCP Datta Nalawade stated that 15 Crime Branch teams are actively working on the case.

Bollywood actor Salman Khan, a close friend of Baba Siddique, visited his home to express condolences to the family after the tragic event. He appeared visibly upset during the visit.