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Baba Siddique was a senior leader from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar. (PTI file photo)
The politician, who pulled a big switcheroo in February this year by ending his four-decade long ties with the Congress and joined the Ajit Pawar led NCP, had received a death threat just 15 days ago and was under ‘Y’ category security.
Former Maharashtra Minister and senior leader of the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Baba Siddique, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Mumbai’s Bandra East on Saturday.
Siddique was at his MLA son Zeeshan Siddiqui’s office near Colgate ground in Nirmal Nagar when, around 9:30 PM, three men with their faces covered exited their car and fired six shots at him, two of which struck his chest. The grievously injured Siddique fell after being shot. He was immediately taken to Lilavati Hospital, where he died shortly after arrival.
A 9.9 mm pistol was used in the shooting, suggesting a contract killing, according to a source. In addition to the three shooters, one more individual was involved in the incident, relaying information to the assailants. It is also being reported that the shooters were linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and had conducted recce before the shooting.
#WATCH | Mumbai: Visuals from the spot where NCP leader Baba Siddiqui was shot late evening, yesterday.He was shifted to Lilavati Hospital where he succumbed to bullet injuries. Two people related to the firing of NCP leader Baba Siddique have been taken into custody and… pic.twitter.com/6d6xcvVbMg
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2024
Baba Siddique Suffered ‘2 Gunshot Wounds’
The politician, who pulled a big switcheroo in February this year by ending his four-decade-long ties with the Congress and joined the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, had received a death threat just 15 days ago and was under ‘Y’ category security.
Doctors from Lilavati Hospital, where NCP leader Baba Siddique was admitted after being shot, have confirmed that the 66-year-old politician succumbed to injuries at 11:27 pm and had ‘two gunshot wounds.’
Dr Nitin Gokhale, Cardiologist at Leelavti Hospital, said, “Baba Siddique Saheb was brought to Leelavti Hospital at 9:30 pm, with no pulse rate and blood pressure. He had two gunshot wounds on his chest. We started the emergency and recitative measures. He was shifted to the ICU. At 11:27 pm he was declared dead. The number of bullets fired will be certain after postmortem.”
2 Suspects Held, 5 Teams Formed To Probe
Police authorities confirmed that two suspects were arrested immediately after the incident. One is from Uttar Pradesh and the other from Haryana, while a third accused fled from the spot. The police have formed five teams to investigate the murder case. Sources within the Mumbai police stated that they will also examine the Bishnoi angle as part of the inquiry.
#WATCH | Baba Siddique firing | Additional CP Paramjit Singh Dahiya says, “Around 9:30 pm this incident happened in Nirmal Nagar. Baba Siddique was admitted to Lilavati Hospital after this incident. Police have arrested two accused. Crime Branch Mumbai is investigating the entire… pic.twitter.com/FtbTil7Iko— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2024
What Maharashtra Govt Said?
The firing occurred on Dussehra and came ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, which are expected to be held later this year. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that two people have been arrested in connection with the case and vowed that the state government will ensure that the case is tried in a fast-track court.
“This is an extremely unfortunate incident and I spoke to the doctors and police. Two people have been arrested, the accused are from UP and Haryana. The third accused is absconding. We have given instructions to Mumbai Police that strict action should be taken against those who take law and order into their hands…I am sure that Mumbai police will soon arrest the third accused… We will take this case to a fast-track court…” he said during a press conference.
The former MLA was known not just for his political acumen but also for hosting lavish Bollywood parties. A cold war between Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan was resolved at an iftaar party hosted by him in 2013.
