Authorities in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, have arrested a shooter tied to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, who has made explosive claims following the killing of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique. The shooter, identified as Yogesh alias Raju, alleged that Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister, had connections with Dawood Ibrahim, India’s most-wanted criminal. Siddique, 66, was shot dead on October 12 outside the Bandra office of his son, MLA Zeeshan Siddique.
Though Raju, 26, is not linked directly to Siddique’s murder, he was arrested in connection with another crime—the recent killing of gym owner Nadir Shah in Delhi. His arrest followed an encounter with Delhi Police’s Special Cell and Mathura Police, during which Raju was injured. Law enforcement seized a .32-bore pistol, ammunition, and a motorcycle at the time of his capture. While being treated for his injuries at a district hospital, Raju addressed the media, making startling allegations about Siddique. He claimed that the former Maharashtra minister had been involved in organized crime and had ties to Dawood Ibrahim, the mastermind behind the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts. According to Raju, these alleged associations ultimately led to Siddique's assassination. He further mentioned how technology has made it easier for criminals to gather information, noting that mobile phones and the internet allow criminals to track targets more efficiently.
Political Backlash
Raju’s public comments have sparked a sharp political backlash. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi questioned why a criminal involved in such cases was being allowed to make statements to the media, likening his public appearance to that of an action hero. She expressed her frustration on social media, pointing out that Raju’s remarks were inappropriate given his involvement in high-profile criminal cases. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate also condemned the authorities, accusing them of allowing a dangerous criminal to justify a murder on television. She criticized the police for standing by as Raju spoke freely about the crime, questioning the role of the government in what she termed as turning the case into a “circus.” Shrinate further suggested that the judicial system should intervene to prevent such public displays that undermine the seriousness of the ongoing investigations.
Five More Arrested
Meanwhile, Mumbai police have made additional arrests in the case of Baba Siddique’s murder, detaining five more individuals who are suspected of providing firearms and logistical support to the shooters. This brings the total number of arrests in connection with the killing to nine. According to police, these newly arrested individuals were in contact with the key conspirators, Shubham Lonkar and Mohammed Zeeshan Akhtar, both of whom remain at large. Investigators have revealed that Akhtar has known connections to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and is believed to be one of the masterminds behind Siddique’s murder. The case has taken several turns, with authorities pursuing multiple leads to trace the remaining suspects and uncover the full scope of the conspiracy behind the assassination. Police continue to investigate the criminal network responsible for the killing as they aim to bring all those involved to justice.
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