In a significant development in the Baba Siddique murder case, Maharashtra Police on Friday arrested a man from Nagpur for allegedly providing financial support to key suspects. This marks the 26th arrest in the ongoing investigation into the high-profile case.
The accused, identified as 26-year-old Sumit Dinkar Wagh from Panaj in Akot tehsil, Akola, was apprehended by the crime branch team during a probe-related operation in Nagpur. He is currently being transported to Mumbai for further questioning.
Authorities revealed that Wagh transferred funds to multiple suspects, including Nareshkumar Singh—the brother of an earlier arrested accused, Gurnail Singh—as well as Rupesh Mohol and Harishkumar. The transactions were conducted via internet banking using a SIM card registered under another arrested suspect, Salman Vora. Vora was apprehended on November 17 in collaboration with the Akola Crime Branch.
“The money was transferred on the instructions of wanted accused Shubham Lonkar, a close friend and former college mate of Wagh from Akot,” an official stated. Salman Vora, a resident of Petlad in Anand district, was arrested in Balapur, Akola.
The investigation into the murder saw a major breakthrough on November 10 with the arrest of Shivkumar Gautam, the alleged main shooter, in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district. Gautam, who had been absconding since the October 12 shooting, was apprehended while attempting to cross into Nepal.
Further probing revealed Gautam revisited the scene of the crime in Bandra East shortly after the incident and later visited Lilavati Hospital in Bandra West to confirm Siddique’s death.
The case continues to unfold as investigators piece together the financial and operational network behind the murder, signaling more arrests and revelations in the days to come.
