GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 13th Oct. The Mumbai police have initiated an investigation into the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, exploring multiple angles including potential contract killing, business rivalry, or threats related to a slum rehabilitation project. Siddique, a prominent leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and a three-time representative of the Bandra (West) constituency, was shot dead on Saturday night just outside his MLA son Zeeshan Siddique’s office in Bandra.
Pre-Planned Attack Suspected
Officials suspect the murder was premeditated, leading to heightened concerns regarding law and order in the state, particularly with assembly elections scheduled for next month. Siddique, who had switched from the Congress party to join Ajit Pawar’s NCP in February, was reportedly under Y-category security.
Incident Details
Witnesses report that Siddique, 66, was ambushed by three men in Kher Nagar, shot multiple times, and taken to Lilavati Hospital, where he was pronounced dead after unsuccessful resuscitation attempts. The alleged assailants, identified as Gurmail Baljit Singh (23) from Haryana and Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap (19) from Uttar Pradesh, have been arrested, while a third suspect remains at large.
Authorities have filed charges against the accused under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Arms Act, and the Maharashtra Police Act. A forensic team has collected evidence from the crime scene, and police are reviewing CCTV footage for further insights.
Political Reaction
The shocking incident has prompted reactions from political leaders, with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar calling the attack “extremely unfortunate” and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde emphasizing the need for maintaining law and order. Shinde stated, “We cannot allow any form of gang war to resurface in our city.”
Siddique was known for his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing essential medicines to those in need, and was a popular figure in Mumbai’s Bollywood circles. His murder is the first high-profile political assassination in the city in nearly three decades, recalling the killings of several politicians in the early 90s.
Opposition leaders have criticized the government’s handling of safety in the state. NCP (SP) state president Jayant Patil remarked, “If a leader from the ruling alliance is not safe, how can the government keep the common man safe?” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and others echoed similar sentiments, demanding accountability and a thorough investigation.
