Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 7 (HBTV): The Mumbai Crime Branch has made significant progress in its investigation, uncovering connections between Aditya Raju Gulankar and Rafik Niyaz Shaikh, both residents of Karve Nagar, Pune, and previously arrested suspects Pravin Lonkar and Rupesh Mohol. 

The arrested individuals, Aditya Raju Gulankar (22) and Rafik Niyaz Shaikh (22), both resided in Karve Nagar, Pune. 

Earlier, the Mumbai Police Crime Branch presented Gulankar and Shaikh in the Esplanade court, where they were remanded into Mumbai Police custody until November 13. According to officials, a total of 18 accused have been arrested so far, with Gulankar and Shaikh being apprehended in Pune.

The Mumbai Crime Branch revealed that Lonkar and Mohol supplied a 9mm pistol and ammunition to Gulankar and Shaikh, facilitating their involvement in criminal activities related to a firing incident. Gulankar and Shaikh were in communication with Lonkar and Mohol, who had been previously arrested.

The purpose of this transfer was to enable their involvement in the criminal activities associated with the firing incident. During an earlier investigation, a 9mm pistol was recovered, and efforts are ongoing to trace and seize the remaining ammunition.

Baba Siddique was shot dead by three assailants on October 12 near his son, MLA Zeeshan Siddique's, office in Mumbai's Nirmal Nagar. The gang led by jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi has claimed responsibility for the murder. 

Earlier, Mumbai Police investigating Baba Siddique's murder indicated that the weapons used in the crime were sourced from Rajasthan. The Mumbai Crime Branch has deployed five teams outside Maharashtra to locate the suspects involved.

On November 2, in an exclusive interview with ANI, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde described the killing of Baba Siddique as "unfortunate."

"It is the government's responsibility to maintain law and order... The incident was very unfortunate... Many of the accused in the incident have been arrested. The government and Home Department will get to the root of it. Those involved will not be spared. Strict action will be taken," Shinde said.   

(ANI)