Baba Siddique Shooters Threw Chilli Powder at Police Guard After Shooting Him

Mumbai: As the probe into the killing of the high-profile former minister of Maharashtra Baba Siddique intensifies, it has been revealed that the three arrested alleged shooters threw chilli powder and pepper spray at a cop who was guarding Siddique after the attack took place.

Siddique Shot Outside Son's Office

Three shooters Gurmel Baljit Singh, Dharmaraj Kashyap and Shivkumar Gautam from Uttar Pradesh allegedly shot dead the 66-year-old NCP leader with six rounds of bullets outside the office of his son and MLA Zeeshan Siddique in Nirmal Nagar between 9:15 pm and 9:30 pm at Bandra East in Mumbai on Saturday evening.

Accused Fled After Hiding In Crowd

Shivkumar, who was allegedly leading the crime, fled after hiding in the crowd, but Singh and Kashyap got caught. Cops recovered two pistols and 28 live rounds from them.

Shooters Given Contract To Kill Father-Son

Republic newsbreak confirmed the shooters told the cops they were given a contract to kill both Baba Siddique and Zeeshan.

Accused Took Cover of Dussehra Fireworks To Open Fire

Only one constable was accompanying Siddique when he was allegedly shot dead by the three who took cover of Dussehra fireworks to open fire.

Six rounds were fired on Siddique, two of which hit the former Maharashtra minister in the chest.

The Congress -turned-NCP leader, who police said was provided non-categorised security, was rushed to Lilavati Hospital where he was declared dead by doctors.

Non-categorised security, under which Siddique was given three constables, is provided as per the individual's threat perception, the official added.

Two constables on security duty were relieved in the evening and only one personnel was with Siddique when he was leaving for Bandra West from his son's office on the fateful night, the official pointed out.

When the assailants opened fire, several persons in the congested area thought it was the sounds of firecrackers going off as part of Dussehra and Goddess Durga idol immersion processions, as per police.

An assistant inspector (API) of Nirmal Nagar police station and some other personnel rushed to the spot, managed to apprehend two of the alleged shooters and recovered two pistols and 29 live rounds from them, the official said. A third shooter managed to escape in the melee.

Apart from this accused, Mumbai police, in its remand application has also mentioned one more person as wanted in the case.

Fifteen police teams have been formed as part of the probe, many fanning into other states to crack the sensational case. Police from these states are being contacted for help and criminal records of many suspects are being taken out, the official added.

All angles, including the possible involvement of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, are being probed, the official informed.

The probe includes details like when the accused arrived in the metropolis, the persons they met as part of the conspiracy and those who provided logistical support to carry out the hit, the official said. (with PTI inputs)