Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Baba Siddique’s shooter justifying the NCP leader’s murder.
Fact
While the man seen in the video is known to have links with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, however, he is NOT an accused in the Baba Siddique murder case. He has been arrested for a murder of a gym owner in Delhi.
A video showing a man, surrounded by police personnel, interacting with media and rebuking NCP leader Baba Siddique, who was shot dead in Mumbai on October 12 allegedly at the behest of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, is going viral on social media platforms. Those sharing the video claimed that the man was one of the shooters who opened fire at Siqquide.
In the viral footage, the man is heard saying, “…Baba Siddique was not a good man. A case under MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) was registered against him. Why would a common person be charged under MCOCA.”
He further added, “It is said that he had connections with Dawood…” He is further heard answering reporters’ questions related to criminal processes.
Several X users, including verified handles, shared the viral footage claiming to show Baba Siddique’s shooter “justifying” his actions. The video is also being widely shared on Facebook and Instagram. Newschecker, however, found that while the man is a Lawrence Bishnoi gang member, he is not an accused in the Baba Siddique murder case.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Fact Check/Verification
A keyword search for “Baba Siddique,” “not good man” and “shooter” on Google yielded a PTI report, dated October 19, 2024, which stated that a shooter from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed that the NCP leader was “not a good man,” and had connections with Dawood Ibrahim.
The shooter identified as Yogesh alias Raju (26) was arrested from UP’s Mathura, and is associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi-Hashim Baba gangs. “He has been arrested in connection with last month’s killing of gym owner Nadir Shah in Delhi’s Greater Kailash area. He is not linked with Siddique’s killing on October 12,” the report stated.
It further added that Raju was arrested after he suffered injuries in an encounter with a joint team of the Delhi Police’s Special Cell and the Mathura Police. He was taken to the district hospital, where he interacted with the reporters.
We then looked up keywords “Yogesh,” “arrested” and “gym owner” on Google which led us to an Indian Express report, dated October 18, 2024, stated that the second shooter who was at large after allegedly shooting dead a gym owner in South Delhi’s GK-1 was arrested following a brief encounter on the Mathura highway, Delhi Police said. Adding that Yogesh aka Raju, is known to be part of Lawrence Bishnoi and Hashim Baba gangs.
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The report detailed, “Afghan national Nadir Shah was shot dead outside his gym in GK-1 on the night of September 12. While seven accused — Akash Yadav, Nitalesh Tiwari, Vishal Verma, Naveen Baliyan, Mohammed Sajid, Pankaj Kumar and Sachin Yadav — were eventually arrested, the shooters Madhur aka Mota Armaan, and Raju had been absconding ever since.”
After Yogesh’s video statement on Baba Siddique went viral, Mathura SSP Shailesh Pandey suspended three police personnel, reported ANI. “In a joint operation between police and Delhi Special Cell team, a sharpshooter named Yogesh, who is said to have links with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, was injured in an encounter. He has been wanted in a murder case in Delhi,” SSP Pandey was quoted as saying in the report.
Siddique was shot dead outside his son’s office in Mumbai.
Another PTI report also stated that the officials “clarified that Yogesh is not linked with the killing of Baba Siddique”
In an X post, dated October 17, 2024, the Delhi Police detailed the arrest of Yogesh, stating “the main shooter of the murder of gym owner in Greater Kailash area” was arrested. One pistol, seven live cartridges and a stolen motorcycle were recovered from the accused.
Arrests In Baba Siddique Murder Case
Recent reports suggest that 10 individuals have been arrested in connection with the assassination of NCP leader Baba Siddique in Mumbai. Bhagwant Omsingh, a scrap dealer in Navi Mumbai, was the latest arrest in the case.
Five persons were also arrested for allegedly supplying firearms and logistical assistance to the shooters. These were identified as Nitin Gautam Sapre, Sambhaji Kisan Pardhi, Pradeep Dattu Thombre, Chetan Dilip Pardhi, and Ram Fulchand Kanoujia.
The police had earlier arrested Gurmail Baljit Singh, Dharmaraj Kashyap, Harish Kumar Nisad and Pravin Lonkar in the murder case. Singh, Kashyap and wanted accused Shivkumar Gautam carried out the shooting. Gautam was reportedly hired as the “main shooter” as he knew how to operate guns, a crime branch official said citing the interrogation of Gurmail Singh and Dharmaraj Kashyap.
Conclusion
Viral video does not show Baba Siddique’s shooter interacting with the media. While the man, identified as Yogesh, is linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, he is not an accused in the NCP leader’s murder case.
Result: False
Sources
Report By PTI, Dated October 19, 2024
Report By Indian Express, Dated October 18, 2024
X Post By Delhi Police, Dated October 1, 2024
Report By PTI, Dated October 21, 2024
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
