In a major breakthrough in the investigation of NCP leader Baba Siddique’s murder, the alleged shooter and key accused, Shiva Kumar, has been apprehended along with four of his associates in a joint police operation near the Nepal border. The arrests were made on Sunday, marking a significant development in the case that had shaken the political landscape of Maharashtra.
Shiva Kumar, the alleged triggerman, had been on the run since the incident on October 12th, when Baba Siddique was fatally shot outside his son’s office building in Mumbai. The incident sent shockwaves through the political and social circles of the city. While two other shooters, Gurnail Singh and Dhramraj Kashyap, were apprehended shortly after the incident, Shiva Kumar managed to evade authorities for several months.
Reports suggest that Shiva Kumar had fled to Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh after the murder. While the Mumbai Police initiated a massive manhunt and tracked his movements across several states, he remained elusive. The police investigation led them to trace the movements of approximately 45 individuals believed to be close to Shiva Kumar, eventually zeroing in on four individuals who seemed to be in constant contact with him. This crucial information led to a well-planned trap being laid by the authorities.
The joint operation, involving six officers and fifteen personnel from the Mumbai Police and the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF), was executed near the Nepal border. The authorities successfully apprehended the fugitive Shiva Kumar and his associates, who were attempting to cross the border into Nepal.
The four associates, namely Anurag Kashyap, Gyan Prakash Tripathi, Akash Srivastava, and Akhilendra Pratap Singh, were arrested for allegedly aiding Shiva Kumar in his escape. The arrests suggest a potential conspiracy involving a larger network that facilitated Shiva Kumar’s evasion of the law.
The arrests of the alleged shooter and his associates mark a crucial step in the investigation and bring a ray of hope for the family of the deceased NCP leader Baba Siddique. The successful capture of the key accused underlines the commitment of the police forces to ensuring justice for the victim and bringing the perpetrators to justice. As the investigation progresses, the authorities will continue to explore all angles of the case and strive to uncover the truth behind this tragic incident.
