Baba Siddique Murder Case: Another Suspect Arrested In Pune

Mumbai Crime Branch has apprehended Gaurav Appune, the 16th suspect in the Baba Siddiqui assassination plot.

NCP leader Baba Siddique was shot dead in Mumbai on October 12.

Source : ABPLIVE AI

Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested the 16th accused in the Baba Siddiqui murder case. Mumbai Police sources said that the suspect was arrested in Pune and was identified as Gaurav Appune. The suspect is aged 23 years. During the investigation, the police found out that Gaurav had met with the other accused several times to plan the assassination.

Gaurav was in touch with the first batch of shooters who were earlier given the contract to kill Baba Siddiqui. The shooters later backed out. The Crime Branch team will present Gaurav in court on Wednesday to seek his remand in custody.

NCP leader Baba Siddique was shot dead outside his son Zeeshan's office in Bandra, Mumbai on October 12. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the murder. The gang said that Baba Siddique was assassinated due to his close ties with actor Salman Khan.

Earlier, one of the witnesses in the Baba Siddiqui murder case received a threat call asking Rs 5 crore. The caller is believed to be from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, said the police. An FIR was registered at the Khar police station on the basis of a complaint.

The witness told police that he received the threat call from an unknown person a few days ago, demanding Rs 5 crore. The caller threatened to kill him if he did not pay up.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Police Crime Branch is carrying out a massive search for the mastermind of the murder, Zeeshan Akhtar. As many as five police teams are on the lookout for Akhtar, reported news website TOI. The weapons used in the murder were allegedly brought in from Rajasthan. So far, five weapons have been seized and the police are on the lookout for a sixth weapon.