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The arrest of Shiv Kumar Gautam, the main accused in the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, marks the end of a month-long manhunt by the Mumbai police. Gautam, also known as Shiva, was apprehended in a joint operation conducted by the Mumbai Police Crime Branch and the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh. He is alleged to be one of the three shooters who fired at Siddique on October 12 in the Bandra area of Mumbai.
Gautam's successful evasion of the police for nearly a month highlights the sophistication of his escape plan. He discarded his mobile phone after the shooting to avoid police tracking. To maintain communication with members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, he used strangers' phones, claiming an emergency. His constant relocation, moving from Thane to Pune, Jhansi, and finally to Bahraich, further complicated the police search. He ultimately ended up hiding in a small hamlet within a forest outside Bahraich, where he worked as a farmer and stayed off the grid for nearly a month.
The Mumbai police have attributed the murder of Baba Siddique to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, claiming the act was intended to generate fear and subsequently extort money. The gang's calculated plan to instill terror and financial gain was evident in the meticulous way Gautam evaded capture. He stayed in touch with the gang, receiving food and clothing late at night from other members, who planned to smuggle him to Nepal. The police were ultimately successful in apprehending Gautam, but his cunning avoidance efforts illustrate the challenges faced by law enforcement when dealing with organized crime.
The arrest of Gautam brings the investigation closer to a resolution. However, the case raises important questions about the effectiveness of police tactics and the need for greater coordination between different agencies. It also underscores the growing threat posed by organized crime groups like the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and the complex methods they employ to achieve their objectives.
Source: How the main shooter in Baba Siddique case evaded Mumbai police for a month