Baba Siddique Murder Case: Shooter Trained in Naxal Area Confesses to Misleading Police at Crime Scene

The prime shooter in the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddiqui, Shiv Kumar Gautam, has provided crucial details during his interrogation that have shed on the meticulously planned assassination and the elaborate escape strategy that followed. Gautam, who was arrested near the India-Nepal border, has disclosed shocking insights into his actions before and after the murder of the NCP leader, as well as the training and broader conspiracy behind the plot.

Gautam's Post-Murder Actions: A Calm Deception

Gautam admitted that after killing Baba Siddique on October 12, he returned to the crime scene and pretended to be a bystander in an attempt to avoid suspicion. According to Crime Branch sources, Gautam remained at the scene for nearly 20 minutes, even as police officers were canvassing the area for suspects. When approached by officers who asked if he had seen anyone fleeing, Gautam, maintaining a calm demeanor, denied witnessing anything unusual.

As Gautam stayed near the scene, he observed the police apprehending his two accomplices, Dharmraj Kashyap and Gurmel Singh. Following their capture, Gautam left the area and made his way to Lilavati Hospital around 10 PM. From there, he traveled to Kurla and boarded a local train to Thane at 10:47 PM. By the early hours of October 13, Gautam had arrived in Pune at approximately 3 AM, before catching an express train to Jhansi at 4 AM.

In a crucial development, Gautam revealed that he had discarded his mobile phone during his journey from Thane to Pune, deliberately eliminating a critical piece of evidence that could have linked him to the murder plot.

Shooter’s Naxal Training Revealed

The investigation has also uncovered disturbing information about the mastermind behind the plot, Shubham Lonkar. According to Crime Branch sources, Lonkar had undergone weapons training in a Naxal-affected area of Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, months before the murder. On July 29, Shubham, along with his associates Rupesh Mohol and Gaurav Apune, traveled from Jharkhand to Ranchi and then to Bilaspur, where they spent five days practicing with an AK-47. Shubham had kept the trip a secret, further indicating the covert and highly organized nature of their preparations.

A Broader Conspiracy: Plot to Assassinate Pune Corporator

The investigation has also revealed a chilling follow-up to the Baba Siddique murder: a plot to assassinate a prominent municipal councillor in Pune. Shubham Lonkar reportedly shared this plan with his associates, Rupesh Mohol and Gaurav Apune, instructing them to execute the attack at the earliest opportunity. The Mumbai Crime Branch has shared this intelligence with the Pune police to alert them to the potential threat and prevent any further violence.
Ongoing Investigation

As the investigation unfolds, the Crime Branch is piecing together the broader conspiracy behind the murder of Baba Siddique. The intricate planning, use of military-style weapons, and links to extremist areas highlight the sophisticated nature of the operation. Authorities are continuing to probe the connections between the key players, including Gautam’s role as the shooter, Shubham Lonkar’s leadership, and the involvement of other associates.​