NCP leader Baba Siddique shot dead
National Congress Party(NCP) leader and former Maharashtra minister, Baba Siddique was ambushed by three unidentified men at Kher Nagar in Mumbai just outside his son’s office around 9:30 pm on Saturday. Just after getting shot he was immediately taken to Lilavati Hospital, where he was declared dead.
Zeeshan Siddique, the son of Baba Siddique is the Congress MLA from Bandra (East), had represented Bandra (West) seat three times in the Maharashtra assembly. Baba Siddique who seemed to be one of the prominent leaders was also known to be close to several Bollywood stars, including Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Sanjay Dutt.
Picture credit: Hindustan Times
A three time MLA from Bandra West, Baba Siddique, had joined Ajit Pawar’s NCP earlier in February this year after getting a resignation from Congress.
Investigation Baba Siddique’s murder
Six empty bullet shells were recovered by the Mumbai Police from the spot where Baba Siddique,66, was shot at. Furthermore, it was not very clear immediately regarding how many bullets were fired and how many hit the victim.
The police stated that two persons who belong to Uttar Pradesh and Haryana have been arrested, while the third who is accused is still fleeing.
According to the police Baba Siddiques received a threat of his life just 15 days ago, because of which his security was made more stronger to the Y category.
The Mumbai Police stated that the weapon which was used during the crime was recovered. A 9.9mm pistol was being used for firing. An official said.
The police confirmed that they were in search of a possible Lawrence Bishnoi angle to the killing. Salman Khan has been under alleged threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Late on Sunday night Maharashtra Chief minister Eknath Shinde made a visit to the Lilavati Hospital to meet the family of Baba Siddique.
Picture credit: India Today
Deputy chief ministers of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, along with senior police officials, Union minister and RPI(A) chief Ramdas Athawale and Parth Pawar, who is the son of Ajit Pawar also made a visit to Lilavati Hospital.
Eknath Shinde opted for severe action against those responsible for holding up the law into their own hands which was also followed by the killing of Baba Siddique. Referring to the incident as extremely unfortunate, Shinde told the media that two suspects have been taken under arrest, with one still at large.
Bollywood actors like Salman Khan, Shipa Shinde visited Lilavati Hospital to express their condolences to the family of Baba Siddique. Actor Zaheer Iqbal also reached the hospital. Actor Riteish Deshmukh showed his grief over the incident saying that the perpetrators of this horrific crime must be confronted to justice.
Strong reaction came from the opposition leaders of Maharashtra to the killing of a former minister. NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar stated that the deteriorating law and order consequences was a matter of tension. It was also very disturbing that the situation was being addressed also lightly, Sharad Pawar said this as he targeted home minister Fadnavis. Balasaheb Thorat, leader of the Congress legislature party in the Maharashtra Assembly, said that a leader from the ruling party with Y category security was being shot dead, which strongly raises questions on the law and order situation. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thakeray stated that the murder was shocking.
