NEW DELHI: The murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique in Mumbai has sparked a political firestorm, with opposition parties, such as the Congress, claiming that law and order in Maharashtra, where assembly elections are scheduled for next month, has “completely collapsed.” The BJP and NCP, the state’s governing parties, vowed that those responsible for Siddique’s murder would be brought to justice and criticised the opposition for engaging in “petty politics” over the crime.
The Mumbai police are investigating a social media post, reportedly authored by a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, claiming responsibility for Siddique’s murder. Police are also investigating multiple angles into the murder of the 66-year-old minister.
Siddique was laid to rest with full state honours at Bada Qabrastan. Siddique was tragically murdered in Mumbai on Saturday. Several NCP leaders, including Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, and Ajit Pawar, attended the last rites of Baba Siddique at the Bada Qabrastan.
The former Maharashtra minister was shot outside his office in Nirmal Nagar, sustaining two gunshot wounds to his chest. He was rushed to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai for emergency treatment but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries on Saturday night.
Dr Jalil Parkar, a physician at Lilavati Hospital, said, “Around 9.30 pm, Baba Siddique was brought here. When he arrived in the emergency room, his pulse and blood pressure were unrecordable, and the ECG showed a flat line. We shifted him to the ICU.”
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through both political and Bollywood circles.
CM Shinde pledged to take strict action against those responsible for taking the law into their own hands following the killing of Baba Siddique. Meanwhile, opposition parties have questioned the state of law and order in Maharashtra following the incident.
As the investigation into the murder case of Baba Siddique continues on Monday, authorities are working to uncover more details about the tragic incident.
What we know so far
Murder plot hatched in Pune
The conspiracy to murder Baba Siddique was orchestrated in Pune, according to police officials on Monday. Investigators revealed that the shooters involved in the assassination were provided with a photograph and a flex banner to help them identify their target.
Case filed under multiple acts
The Mumbai police have filed a case related to the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddiqui, invoking various provisions from the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Arms Act, and Maharashtra Police Act. The case, registered at Nirmal Nagar Police Station, bears the Crime Registration No. 589/2024.
The sections applied in the case include Sections 103(1), 109, 125, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 3, 25, 5, and 27 of the Arms Act, and Section 37 and section 137 of the Maharashtra Police Act. These legal provisions cover various aspects of the alleged crime, such as the use of firearms and violations of the state’s police regulations.
Suspects did recce of Siddiqui’s home, office
Mumbai police said that the suspects had been residing in Mumbai for a period, closely monitoring Siddiqui’s activities. Officials revealed that the accused had done recce of Baba Siddiqui’s house and workplace. They had been present in Mumbai for a period ranging from one and a half to two months, during which they closely monitored his activities and movements.
Accused were paid in advance
According to police, the suspects received payment before carrying out the task. Mumbai Police said, “They had received arms delivery a few days ago.”
Police probe multiple angles in Siddique’s murder
The killing of Siddique is believed to be a premeditated crime, according to a Mumbai police official’s statement on Sunday. The official further mentioned that the crime branch has initiated an investigation into the case, exploring various possibilities such as a possible contract killing, business rivalry or threat over a slum rehabilitation project.
Multiple teams formed for murder investigation
Following the attack, forensic experts arrived at the scene to gather evidence, while law enforcement officers reviewed surveillance video from surrounding areas to uncover additional details about the incident. The assailants opened four to five rounds of fire from a 9.9 MM pistol which was recovered by police. To thoroughly investigate the case, the Mumbai police have established several dedicated teams.
Doctors tried for two hours to save Siddique’s life
A medical professional from Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital, where Siddique was rushed after being shot, has suggested that minister likely succumbed to his injuries before arriving at the hospital. Despite being unconscious upon arrival on Saturday night, doctors made efforts for nearly two hours to save Siddique’s life, but their attempts were unsuccessful, according to the doctor.
In a statement to the media following the incident on Saturday night, the hospital’s medical staff revealed, “There were two wounds of gunshots at the front of his chest. There was lot of blood loss, and he was unconscious when his family members brought him to the hospital.”
Political leaders, public bid farewell to Baba Siddique
Baba Siddique was buried on Sunday night with state honours amidst a large gathering of people and political leaders from various parties. The Mumbai Police provided a guard of honour to the late leader at Bada Kabrastan in Marine Lines, despite the rainy weather.
The funeral procession commenced from Siddique’s residence in Bandra, Maqba Heights, following the offering of Namaaz-e-Janaza. His body, wrapped in the national flag, was transported in an ambulance to the burial site, covering a distance of 17 kilometers via the sea link.
High-ranking police officials, politicians from different parties, and members of the public came together to pay their last respects to the 66-year-old former MLA.
Third accused remanded to police custody till Oct 21
On Monday, a court in Mumbai extended the police custody of Pravin Lonkar, the third individual arrested in connection with the murder of former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique, until October 21. Lonkar, who was taken into custody in Pune on Sunday, is alleged to have recruited two of the three suspected shooters responsible for the attack on Siddique in Mumbai’s Bandra area on Saturday night. According to the police, Pravin Lonkar‘s brother, Shubham, is reportedly linked to imprisoned gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
The two apprehended shooters, Gurmail Baljit Singh (23) from Haryana and Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap (19) from Uttar Pradesh, are also under police custody until next Monday.
The crime branch of the Mumbai police has currently arrested two of the shooters, while the third gunman, Shivkumar Gautam, remains at large. Cops are conducting searches at places of worship in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain and Khandwa to hunt Gautam. districts According to the police, Pravin Lonkar and his brother Shubham “enlisted” Kashyap and Gautam to execute the shooting. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend Shubham Lonkar.
According to a report from PTI, Mohd Zishan Akhtar is also wanted in the case who is a suspected “handler”.
Only one constable was with Siddique when he was shot, says Mumbai police
Baba Siddique was shot and killed in Mumbai’s Bandra area while being accompanied by a single constable. The former Congress member was granted non-categorised security based on his threat assessment. According to an official, non-categorised security typically involves the assignment of three constables. However, on the night of the incident, two of the constables had been relieved from their duties, leaving only one to escort Siddique as he departed from his son’s office for Bandra West.
Due to the crowded nature of the area, many individuals initially mistook the gunshots for the sound of firecrackers, which were being set off as part of the Dussehra celebrations and Goddess Durga idol immersion processions, according to police reports.
Siddique’s son Zeeshan was also on target of killers
The suspects disclosed that Siddique’s son, Zeeshan, was also an intended target. Mumbai Police said that the accused were contracted to eliminate both Zeeshan and Baba Siddiqui. During questioning, the accused asserted that “both Zeeshan and Baba Siddiqui were on the target and they were ordered to fire on anyone they found.” It was also revealed that Zeeshan Siddiqui had been threatened several days prior to the incident.
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