Mumbai/Kaithal, 14 October, 2024: The second suspect arrested in the murder of former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique has been identified as 26-year-old Gurmel Singh, a resident of Narar village in Kaithal district.
Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kalia confirmed that Gurmel has a criminal history, with three cases registered against him in Kaithal, including one for murder. He was granted bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2023 after being booked in 2019 and was released from Kaithal jail.
During his time in prison, Gurmel faced additional charges when a mobile phone was confiscated from him in 2022. In August, he was also charged with assaulting a Kaithal resident and is currently wanted in connection with that case, the police officer said.
Gurmel’s grandmother, Phuli Devi, expressed her disapproval of him, stating, “The family disowned him 11 years ago, and we call for exemplary punishment for his actions.”
She also mentioned that Gurmel’s parents have passed away and confirmed that he had not been working, spending four years in jail before his recent bail.
In connection with Siddique’s murder, Mumbai Police have apprehended three suspects: Gurmel Singh and Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap, who hails from Uttar Pradesh. The accused has been identified as 28-year-old Pravin Lonkar who was apprehended from Pune.
The trio faces charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including murder, as well as provisions of the Arms Act and the Maharashtra Police Act.
A social media post allegedly from a member of the Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for Siddique’s murder, citing his ties to actor Salman Khan. “We are investigating the authenticity of this social media post that claims responsibility for the incident,” an officer stated.
During a press briefing, DCP Crime Branch Datta Nalawade reported that police recovered two pistols and 28 live rounds from the arrested suspects.
He mentioned, “The suspects were found carrying pepper spray but did not use it during the incident.” The investigation into the involvement of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang in the murder is ongoing.
Nalawade further detailed the circumstances surrounding the crime, stating, “Yesterday, between 9-9:30 PM, former state minister Baba Siddique was shot outside his sons’ office under Nirmal Nagar police station. An offense has been registered, and the investigation has been handed over to the Crime Branch.”
