MUMBAI: NCP functionary and former Maharashtra MLA Baba Siddique (66) was shot dead in Bandra (East) near his MLA son Zeeshan’s office at around 9.30pm Saturday by three people.
Siddique was getting into his vehicle when three assailants arrived on foot and fired multiple rounds at him. Siddique, who sustained bullet injuries on his chest, was declared dead on arrival, sources in Lilavati Hospital where he was rushed to told TOI.Nobody other than Baba Siddique was injured, confirmed police. Cops are checking CCTV footage to ascertain the sequence of events.
Two of the three assailants were held. The third one is on the run, police said. Siddique was granted Y category protection 15 days ago after receiving threats and was provided a personal security officer 24×7. Police are examining if the murder has anything to do with an SRA (slum rehabilitation authority) dispute. They are also probing if the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was behind the killing considering that Siddique was close to actor Salman Khan, who the gangster had threatened.
Siddique killing: Ajit ‘shocked’, Pawar says situation ‘worrying’
Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde told the media: “The firing incident on Baba Siddique is very unfortunate. One assailant is from Uttar Pradesh and another is from Haryana. The CP has told me this. Police are chasing the third accused. I have told the police to make sure that no one takes law and order into their hands. Things like a gang war cannot raise its head. I have told the police to take stern action. Mumbai police will act swiftly and arrest the third accused. All three will be tried in a fast-track court.”
In Feb this year, Baba Siddique had ended his 48-year-long association with Congress and joined the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.
Siddique was an MLA for three consecutive terms in 1999, 2004 and 2009, and had also served as a minister of state for food and civil supplies, labour and FDA (2004-08), and municipal corporator earlier for two consecutive terms (1992-1997).
He has also served as the chairperson and senior vice-president of the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee and parliamentary board of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee.
Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar posted on X that he was shocked to learn about Siddique’s death and that he had lost a good colleague and a friend.
NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar said that the situation is worrying.
“If the ruling side and home minister are going to run the govt with this softness then it is an alarming sign. It doesn’t even need a probe but the ruling side should take up the responsibility and leave the post,” he said.