In a shocking incident, Baba Siddique, a senior leader of the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP and former Maharashtra minister, was shot dead in Bandra, Mumbai, on October 12. The shooting took place outside the office of his son, MLA Zeeshan Siddique, near Colgate Ground in Nirmal Nagar, according to reports from the PTI news agency.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing two to three rounds of gunfire. Baba Siddique was rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where he was undergoing treatment before the hospital confirmed his death. The incident has raised concerns as it comes just ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stated that two suspected shooters have been detained by the police, with one hailing from Uttar Pradesh and the other from Haryana. A third suspect managed to flee the scene, and police are actively searching for the individual.
“This is an extremely unfortunate incident,” CM Shinde said in a statement, adding, “Strict action will be taken against the accused, and I am confident that Mumbai Police will soon apprehend the third person involved.”
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya expressed concern over the killing, suggesting it could be part of a larger conspiracy. He urged the government to form a special investigation team to thoroughly probe the case.
