LIVE | Baba Siddique murder: 7-day police custody for one, other claims to be minor
#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: Body of NCP leader Baba Siddiqui taken to Cooper Hospital for post-mortemHe was shot near Nirmal Nagar in Bandra and later succumbed to bullet injuries at the hospital, late night, yesterday. pic.twitter.com/LUIiHmmIh7— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2024
#WATCH | Maharashtra: Outside visuals from NCP leader Baba Siddique's residence in Mumbai.
He was shot near Nirmal Nagar in Bandra and later succumbed to bullet injuries at Lilavati Hospital. His body has been shifted to Cooper Hospital for post-mortem pic.twitter.com/MZ8vhq4Xmv— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2024
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.
Siddique’s security was updated to Y class
The 66-year-old, a three-time MLA from Bandra West, had switched to the NCP in February this year after quitting the Congress.
Police said his security was upgraded to Y class category after he received death threats 15 days ago.
According to reports, police are also trying to explore any possible links between Siddique’s murder and death threats by the Bishnoi gang to actor Salman Khan.
Multiple shots fired from 9.9 mm pistol: Police
Police have recovered six empty bullet shells from the spot where Siddique was shot at.
Questioning of the accused has also revealed that the shooters had fired three rounds at Siddique from a 9.9 mm pistol. The incident happened when the NCP leader was bursting firecrackers on the occasion of Dussehra.
Some reports say that Siddique was waylaid by the three men near his son’s office at around 9.30 pm before being shot at.
One of the rounds hit Siddique in the chest, causing him to collapse on the spot. Police said one of the bullets cracked the windshield of his vehicle.
Was Lawrence Bishnoi gang involved?
Two of the alleged assailants, identified as Karnail Singh and Dharamraj Kashyap, have been arrested. According to reports, the duo during questioning have admitted that they belong to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Bishnoi, however, hasn’t taken responsibility for the murder yet.
Bishnoi is a notorious gangster known for Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala’s murder in 2022 and for issuing repeated threats of murder to actor Salman Khan. Siddique is said to have been close to the actor.