Quizzing by cops reveals web of poverty, drugs, no remorse

Absconding accused Shubham Lonkar helped alleged suspects, making them feel indebted to him, reveals investigation

- Ashish Singh

During the investigation in the Baba Siddique murder case, it has been revealed that Zeeshan Akhtar, the absconding accused and one of the main conspirators, instructed all the arrested trio not to associate with one another and to minimize their knowledge about each other during their stay at the Kurla house. They were asked to function strictly on a need-to-know basis. This precaution was taken to ensure that if one was apprehended, they would have limited information about others. Post-murder, only Shiv Kumar Gautam aka Shiva possessed critical information about whom to meet, how to coordinate, and the route to Omkareshwar near Ujjain. According to sources, each accused was given a contingency plan for emergencies, and strict orders to avoid visiting their rented home at Patel Chawl in Kurla (West) or its vicinity after executing the murder plot.

According to sources it was Shiva who got Baba Siddique's photograph and presented it to the other two accused, Gurmail Singh and Dharmaraj Kashyap. To confirm Siddique's identity, the shooters visited Bandra multiple times, matching the image with pictures of Siddique displayed on political party banners.