The fourth man involved in the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique is from Jalandhar in Punjab, police sources said. About two years ago, the man – Mohammad Zeeshan Akhtar – was arrested by the local police and met the members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang in Patiala jail. When he was released, he went to Mumbai.
Police said Akhtar was the handler of Baba Siddique's gunmen and gave them directions from outside. When Siddiqui was shot, Akhtar gave information to the gunmen about his location. He also offered them logistical support, including renting a room.
Baba Siddiqui was killed by three gunmen. Among them, Gurmel Singh is a resident of Narad village in Haryana's Kaithal district. The other two are residents of Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh. Gurmel and the second shooter, who claims to be minors, have been arrested. The third gunman, Shiv Kumar, is still on the run.
Akhtar was a resident of Shakar village of Nakodar in Jalandhar. He was arrested in 2022 in a case of organized crime, murder and robbery and lodged in Patiala jail, where he came into contact with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and received instructions to kill Siddique.
Police sources said that after being released from jail on June 7, Akhtar had reached Kaithal to meet Gurmel. The gunmen then left for Mumbai and set up a base there.
After the shooting, Akhtar fled. Sources say he is still hiding in Mumbai. Several teams have been formed to locate him.
