Mumbai: Police have arrested two people in connection with the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique just as the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the murder of the 66-year-old NCP leader.
Siddique was shot dead outside his son Zeeshan Siddique's office in Mumbai's Bandra East last night.
Those arrested in the murder included Gurmail Baljit Singh, 23, from Haryana and Dharamraj Kashyap, 19, from Uttar Pradesh; the third person allegedly involved in the crime has been identified as Shiv Kumar Gautam from Uttar Pradesh.
Meanwhile, a fourth person, who is a handler, is on the run.
The gang fired multiple rounds at the leader fatally hitting his chest at around 9.30 pm last night.
Following the incident, Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the assassination through a social media post.
Meanwhile, the central agencies are probing the post on an account linked to Shibu Lonkar, who is believed to be Shubham Rameshwar Lonkar - an associate of the Bishnoi gang.
Shubham Lonkar, who was arrested for possession of illegal weapons earlier this year from Maharashtra, confessed to have communicated with Anmol Bishnoi, Lawrence's close brother, thus linking him to the Bishnoi network.
Two of shooters allegedly involved in Siddiqui’s murder are from Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich; they are neighours who worked as labourers in Pune before turning to the criminal network.
It is reported citing sources that Dharamraj and Shiv Kumar, who is on the run, had no criminal record in their hometown.
They were reportedly seeking notoriety by having links with Bishnoi gang, which began during their time in Punjab jail, according to the report.
It is reported citing police that the gang had been monitoring the NCP leader for months before eventually hitting him.
The suspects are reported to have been given Rs 50,000 each prior to carrying out the attack and arms were supplied only days before the criminal act.
Both the suspects are in police custody just as the police continue searching for others involved in the case.
Meanwhile, Mumbai Police beefed up the security for actor Salman Khan's residence.