Former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique shot dead in Mumbai
Baba Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister and a leader of Ajit Pawar’s NCP, was shot dead by three men in Mumbai on Saturday evening. The politician, aged 66, sustained gunshot wounds to his stomach and chest. He was quickly rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
A senior doctor from Lilavati Hospital stated that Siddique bled significantly and all attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. He was pronounced deceased at 11:27 p.m. His body was eventually transferred to Cooper Hospital for further examination.
The event took place at approximately 9.30 pm in the vicinity of Ram Mandir, near the office of the NCP leader. Two people have been arrested by the police in connection with the attack.
While Siddique was setting off fireworks during Dussehra, three men got out of a car with their faces hidden by handkerchiefs. They discharged a 9.9 mm pistol, shooting three bullets, with one hitting Siddiqui in the chest and leading to his immediate collapse.
One of the bullets hit Baba Siddique’s vehicle windshield, indicating that several shots had been fired. Another online video revealed that the police found three bullet casings at the scene as well.
Also read: Delhi Police arrests Ashneer Grover’s brother-in-law in BharatPe scam
CM Eknath Shinde assures strict action in the matter
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said he had spoken to police and doctors at the hospital. “The incident is extremely unfortunate. There are reports that he (Siddique) has died. Two people have been arrested, one from Uttar Pradesh and one from Haryana, while another is on the run. I have asked the police to take strict action and ensure no one takes law and order into their hands. A gang-war-like situation should not be allowed to resurface in Mumbai,” he said in Marathi.
Two arrested in relation to the attack; Lawrence Bishnoi gang suspected behind the crime
The police have arrested two individuals, known as Karnail Singh and Dharamraj Kashyap, in relation to the attack. According to police sources, they claimed that they were part of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang during the interrogation. The two told authorities that they had been monitoring Siddique’s actions for the past month.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar condoled Siddique’s death. Pawar said he lost a “good colleague and a good friend”.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has called off all his plans for Sunday and is anticipated to come back to Mumbai shortly. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited Lilavati Hospital, where Siddique was brought after the shooting incident.
Opposition slams Mahayuti government
Meanwhile, opposition leaders have expressed concerns about the state of law and order in Maharashtra following a public shooting of a former minister.
Congress leader KC Venugopal described Siddique’s passing as a significant tragedy for the people of Maharashtra. He proceeded to condemn the government led by Eknath Shinde for the shooting, stating that it demonstrated how criminals in Maharashtra are no longer afraid of the law.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi expressed a similar feeling. She inquired about the government’s plan to ensure the safety of the general public, given its inability to safeguard a political leader with a ‘Y’ category security cover.
