Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested a 16th suspect, Gaurav Apune, in the Baba Siddique murder case. Gaurav Apune is a resident of Karve Nagar in Pune.
Mumbai Crime Branch officials on Wednesday arrested another suspect in the murder of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique. (Photo: TV9 Network)
Mumbai: Mumbai Crime Branch officials on Wednesday arrested another suspect in the murder of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique. This arrest marks the 16th detention in the case. The accused, 23-year-old Gaurav Apune, was apprehended in Pune and will be presented in court.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Datta Nalawade, Gaurav Apune is a resident of Karve Nagar in Pune. Police found that Apune had significant involvement in the murder plot, attending multiple meetings and participating in detailed planning sessions with other suspects. Apune was reportedly trained in handling weapons and was part of the initial group of shooters selected for the job, allegedly with promises of financial compensation from another suspect who remains at large.
Two persons close to Siddique receive threats
Two persons close to Baba Siddique have reported receiving threatening phone calls from unknown numbers. These men, Iqbal Shaikh and Shoaib Khan, claim they have been harassed since Siddique’s assassination, which took place on October 12 in Bandra East, Mumbai. Authorities believed that the callers may be connected to Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang, the same network allegedly involved in Siddique’s murder.
Iqbal Shaikh, who witnessed the murder, reported to Khar police station on October 31 that he received an extortion demand. According to the FIR filed under section 308A of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, the caller demanded Rs 5 crore for “protection” and issued a grave threat. The caller warned Shaikh, “Prepare five crores, or you will join Baba Siddique,” hinting that Shaikh might meet a similar fate if he failed to comply.
Police sources said that surveillance measures have been implemented to protect Shaikh, including the deployment of a constable to his residence after unknown people were seen photographing the premises. The case has been transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch for a more thorough investigation.
Threat call to social worker
Another associate of Siddique, social worker Shoaib Khan, also reported receiving a threatening call just a few days after the murder. Khan, who helped Siddique secure hospital treatment for impoverished residents, received a call from an international number linked to Pakistan. Khan’s complaint states that the caller threatened his life and even used a photograph of a police officer as a display picture, likely to appear credible and intimidating.
Following the threats, Khan visited Nirmal Nagar police station, though the incident was filed as a non-cognizable (NC) offense rather than an FIR. Khan shared that he was instructed by police to make a video call back to the caller, who disconnected upon seeing a police officer on the call.
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