Dispute Over Payment Thwarts Contract Killing of Politician Baba Siddique

Five accused have been arrested for the alleged conspiracy to murder NCP leader Baba Siddique. The plot fell through due to disagreements over payment and concerns regarding Siddique's political influence. Investigation reveals a network involving key conspirators and a major criminal gang.

Five individuals have been arrested in the planned murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique. The alleged conspirators had demanded Rs 50 lakh for the hit but backed out due to a payment dispute and Siddique's key connections, officials reported.

Identified as residents from various parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the accused provided logistical support to the shooters and received Rs 5 lakh. Crime branch sources noted that, aside from one, all had histories of criminal activities.

Despite withdrawing from the kill order, the group still assisted new shooters. Police continue investigating ties to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, suspecting Shubham Lonkar and Mohammed Zeeshan Akhtar as intermediaries in Siddique's assassination plot.

(With inputs from agencies.)