Shiv Kumar Gautam, the main accused in the murder case of Maharashtra politician Baba Siddique, was arrested from Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich on Sunday. Sources said he was trying to flee to Nepal.

Shiv Kumar, along with two other accused — Gurnail Singh, a resident of Haryana and Dhramraj Kashyap of Uttar Pradesh — shot dead Mr Siddique, 66, outside his politician son Zeeshan Siddique’s office in Mumbai on October 12.

While Singh and Kashyao were arrested immediately after the attack, Shiv Kumar had managed to flee.

Shiv Kumar, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, was caught in a joint operation by the police officials of Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai from the Nanpara area of Bahraich.

During interrogation, he apparently said they were in Mumbai for days conducting recce for the NCP leader and on the night of October 12, “When we got the right time, we killed Baba Siddique”.

Police sources said Shiv Kumar has also admitted that he is linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The murder, he allegedly said, was carried out on the instructions of Anmol Bishnoi, the brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.

Anmol’s name has also cropped up in the murder of Punjabi singer-politician Sidhu Moosewala in 2022, and the firing outside actor Salman Khan’s residence in Mumbai in April. He is on the most-wanted list of the National Investigation Agency, and a Rs 10 lakh reward has been announced for his arrest.

How Cops Caught Shiv Kumar Gautam

After the murder of Baba Siddique, Shiv Kumar had gone to Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh to meet some henchmen of the gang. The Mumbai police had tracked him to Omkareshwar but failed to catch him.

The police then traced about 45 people, including Shiv Kumar’s family members and his close aides, and tracked their movements.

During the investigation, they zeroed down to four people who were constantly in contact with Shiv Kumar, police sources said.

A house next to Shiv Kumar’s residence was apparently made a safehouse for him. The police then laid a trap and waited for those four accused to meet Shiv Kumar. They then caught him and his four aides there on Sunday.

Anurag Kashyap, Gyan Prakash Tripathi, Akash Srivastava and Akhileshendra Pratap Singh were arrested for giving shelter to Shiv Kumar and helping him escape to Nepal. The police have so far arrested 20 in the case.

Baba Siddique was murdered apparently because of his close relationship with actor Salman Khan. Lawrence Bishnoi’s associates have hinted that the grouse against Mr Khan is about the blackbucks he killed 20 years ago. Blackbucks are sacred to the Bishnoi community.

Investigators said Baba Siddique’s son and Mumbai MLA Zeeshan Siddique is also a target for the same reason. His photo was reportedly found on a cell phone seized from one of the three men who shot his father.

Kashmir Police have asked trekkers to inform police in advance about their routes after two trekkers were caught in an encounter between terrorists and security forces at Zabarwan near Srinagar yesterday. The trekkers were rescued after they dialled 100 and informed cops.

“Trekkers and adventure enthusiasts should inform the nearest police station about their travel plans and expected routes, especially in areas where there could be security operations. This protocol ensures we can act swiftly to ensure their safety if unexpected incidents occur,” Kashmir police chief Vidhi Kumar Birdi said. 

Police and security forces launched an operation in the Zabarwan forest area yesterday on the basis of intelligence about the presence of terrorists. The operation is still on. According to police, the trekkers found themselves in a dangerous situation when the terrorists and forces started exchanging fire. They hid in the rocks. One of them dialled 100 and alerted the cops about their location. The security operation was temporarily suspended and the trekkers evacuated from the area.

Police and security forces launched an operation in the Zabarwan forest area on the basis of intelligence about the presence of terrorists. 

A senior police officer said, “Fortunately, one among them had an idea and he dialled 100.” The Police Control Room alerted senior officers and a rescue team led evacuated them.

“The PCR’s swift coordination in relaying information to the officers on duty was instrumental in preventing a possible tragedy,” a senior police officer said.

“We encourage everyone – locals, tourists, and especially trekkers – to use the helpline services, including dialling 100 or directly reaching out to police stations, should they face any situation that requires immediate intervention. This way, the Police can ensure swift assistance while coordinating with ongoing operations,” the Kashmir Police chief said.

Autumn is a trekking season in the Valley. Tourists from across the world reach Kashmir for trekking and skiing. According to people who organise treks, many trekkers go out on their own and get into trouble at times. “In upper reaches, operations may be on. Then it becomes a security hazard,” an officer said.