Serious indictment of crumbling law and order situation: Congress

The Congress on Saturday said the killing of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique is a serious indictment of the "crumbling" law and order situation in Maharashtra and demanded a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident.

In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the tragic demise of Siddique is shocking beyond words.

"In this hour of grief, I offer my deepest condolences to his family, friends and supporters," he said.

"Justice must be ensured, and the present Maharashtra Govt must order a thorough and transparent investigation. The culprits must be brought to book at the earliest. Accountability is paramount," Kharge said.

Congress general secretary in-charge organisation K C Venugopal said, "Shocked, stunned and outraged at the killing of Baba Siddique ji. Siddique ji served the people with dedication and worked hard to preserve communal harmony. His passing away is a massive loss to the people of Mumbai and Maharashtra." This incident is a serious indictment of the crumbling law and order situation in Maharashtra, Venugopal said on X.

Siddique had on multiple occasions intimated the authorities about the threat to his life and he suffered despite being under Y-plus security, he said.

"That this shooting took place on the road, in the middle of bustling markets, shows that criminals no longer fear the law in Maharashtra. Even leaders of the ruling alliance are not safe in the heart of its capital any more. The ruling regime must answer - when senior public figures aren't safe, how will the ordinary citizen feel safe today?" Venugopal said.