Gangster Anmol Bishnoi had ordered the shooting of NCP leader Baba Siddique for his “association with Dawood Ibrahim and involvement in the 1993 Bombay blasts”, alleged main shooter Shivkumar Gautam said in his confessional statement to the police. He also claimed he was asked to kill Baba Siddique or his son Zeeshan Siddique and promised Rs 10-15 lakh to carry out the crime.

The shooter’s confession was a part of the chargesheet filed in connection with the October 12 murder of Baba Siddique, 66, a former Maharashtra minister. Siddique was shot dead by three assailants outside his son’s office in Mumbai’s Bandra East area.

India Today TV accessed the detailed confession, which outlines the intricate planning, financial incentives and connections to the Bishnoi gang’s masterminds, including wanted accused Anmol Bishnoi and Shubham Lonkar.

Gautam confessed that he and his associate, Dharmaraj Kashyap, were promised Rs 10-15 lakh to kill Baba Siddique and potentially Zeeshan Siddique.

Introduced to the gang through mutual contacts, Gautam described how he became entangled in the plot, orchestrated using Snapchat for communication and funded through bank transactions.

The murder was meticulously planned over several months, with reconnaissance missions conducted at Siddique’s residence and office.

“One day, Shubham Lonkar told the shooter that he and his brother worked for the Bishnoi gang. In June 2024, Shubham Lonkar (Shubbu) told me and Dharmaraj Kashyap that if we did a job at his behest, we could be paid Rs 10-15 lakh. When I asked about the work, Shubham told us we were to kill a man named Baba Siddique or his son, Zesshan Siddique. But he didn’t give any further details,” Gautam said.

“After a few days, Shubham Lonkar reminded us about the murder and asked us if we were scared. Then, Dharmaraj Kashyap and I told him we would do the work and asked for the money,” he added.

Gautam disclosed that weapons were supplied by Bishnoi gang members based in Mumbai, and fake identity cards were provided to facilitate their movements.

His confession detailed the gang’s strategy to inspire confidence in the shooters. Bishnoi, Lonkar and their aides frequently communicated via Snapchat, motivating them and assuring financial and logistical support.

The shooters practiced with the supplied firearms in a secluded forest near Khopoli before carrying out the attack.

After the shooting, Gautam said he discarded the murder weapon and his mobile phone to evade detection. He fled to various cities before being arrested in Lucknow while allegedly planning to escape to Nepal with the help of friends.

The chargesheet also suggested a sprawling network involving several Bishnoi gang members and accomplices across multiple states. The gang’s alleged motive was linked to Siddique’s high-profile connections and his family’s prominence.

(with inputs from PTI)