Baba Siddique Murder: What is Ossification Test Which Exposed Accused Dharmaraj Kashyap's Lie?

Mumbai Police, investigating the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, have conducted an ossification test on accused Dharmaraj Kashyap to ascertain his true age. Kashyap has claimed to be under 18, potentially seeking to evade legal consequences by presenting himself as a minor. The ossification test results confirm that Kashyap is 19 years old.

According to reports from India Today, the Mumbai Police stated that Kashyap, originally from Uttar Pradesh, will remain in police custody until October 21 following his arrest. His lawyer had previously argued that he is a minor. The court granted the police’s request for the ossification test, which clarified his age.

What is ossification test?

An ossification test is a medical examination used to determine an individual’s skeletal maturity, which can help estimate their age. This test involves analysing the development of bones, particularly in the hands and wrists, through X-rays. As a person grows, their bones undergo various changes, and certain bones fuse at specific ages. In legal contexts, such as determining the age of minors, ossification tests can provide evidence to confirm or dispute claims about an individual’s age. The results can play a crucial role in legal proceedings, especially when age-related legal distinctions are significant.

Alongside Kashyap, two other individuals – Gurmel Singh and Shubham Lonkar – have been arrested in the murder case. The main suspect, Shivkumar Gautam, remains at large. Authorities have not yet determined the motive behind Siddique’s murder.

In a related development, the Crime Branch apprehended 28-year-old Praveen Lonkar in Pune, who is the brother of Shubham Lonkar. Police believe the brothers conspired to kill Siddique, involving Kashyap and Gautam in the plot. Reports suggest that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang may be linked to the crime.

Details surrounding the case indicate that Siddique was shot on Saturday while the sound of Dussehra firecrackers masked the gunfire. According to police, three masked assailants emerged from a car and opened fire with a 9.9 mm pistol, hitting the NCP leader twice after firing six rounds in total. The investigation continues as police work to uncover the motive behind the attack.