In a chilling revelation, Shiv Kumar Gautam, the prime suspect in former NCP leader Baba Siddique’s murder, admitted to police that he lingered outside Lilavati Hospital after the shooting to confirm his target’s fate. After changing his shirt, Gautam blended with onlookers for 30 minutes, departing only after learning of Siddique’s critical condition.
Suspect in Baba Siddique Murder monitored his death at hospital
The fatal attack occurred on October 12 at 9:11 pm in Mumbai’s Bandra, where Siddique, 66, sustained two chest wounds. Despite being rushed to Lilavati Hospital, the former minister succumbed to his injuries.
Mumbai Police uncovered a thwarted escape plan involving the Bishnoi gang. “According to the accused, as per the initial plan, he was supposed to meet his aides – Dharmaraj Kashyap and Gurmail Singh at the Ujjain railway station – where a member of the Bishnoi gang was to take them to Vaishno Devi,” police officials stated. The plan collapsed when authorities apprehended Kashyap and Singh.
Here’s what police said:
The breakthrough in capturing Gautam came through surveillance of suspicious late-night phone conversations among four associates. “The investigation was triggered by suspicious activities of Gautam’s four friends, who were spotted purchasing clothes in various sizes and planning to meet him in a remote forest. They were in constant touch with Gautam via internet calls on mobile phones – which were purchased in Lucknow,” reported PTI.
Accused arrested in joint operation
A joint operation by Mumbai Crime Branch and UP Police Special Task Force led to Sunday’s arrest of Gautam and his accomplices – Anurag Kashyap, Gyan Prakash Tripathi, Akash Srivastava, and Akhilendra Pratap Singh – near the Nepal border, where they allegedly planned his escape from India.
Following the shooting, Gautam executed an elaborate escape route: fleeing to Kurla, taking a local train to Thane, then proceeding to Pune where he disposed of his phone. After a week in Pune, he traveled to Jhansi and Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, ultimately being discovered in a remote settlement of 10-15 hutments near Nanpara town.
The investigation continues as authorities work to uncover potential motives and additional conspirators in the high-profile assassination.
