Mumbai: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)’s senior leader and former state minister, Baba Ziauddin Siddique, was shot dead near Nirmal Nagar in Bandra East on Saturday night. Maharashtra Chief Minister said the trial of the crime will take place in a fast-track court.
The Chief Minister also declared that the encounter specialist Daya Nayak will investigate the incident.
He said, “The Mumbai Police have been directed to maintain law and order, and they should see that nobody takes law and order into their hands. Gang war should not revive. Strict action should be taken against those who indulge in such incidents.”
How the incident unfolded
According to reports, the firing took place amid darkness as the streetlights were switched off, and there were no CCTV cameras in the area.
As per available information, at least two to three persons who were lying in wait for him rushed and fired multiple rounds indiscriminately at the businessman-cum-politician Siddique, and he sustained fatal injuries, including one in the chest.
An aide nearby also suffered a shot in the leg even as the assailants in the incident disappeared from there around 9.30 p.m.
According to the preliminary information given by the police, a total of six rounds were fired at him from two pistols.
Even though Baba Siddique’s car was bullet-proof, the bullet entered the glass.
Therefore, the police sources said that the attackers must have sophisticated pistols.
“Baba Siddiqui was shot at close range. Later, the three attackers, who had covered their faces with handkerchiefs, were running away when the mob caught two of them and handed them over to the police. At present, the forensic team of the police has reached the spot. Police recovered a pistol and bullet casings from the spot. The pistol found at the spot was a 9.9 mm detachable magazine of 13 rounds. This pistol is said to be a sophisticated and modern one,” the police sources added.
According to the police sources, the attack took place when Baba Siddique was leaving his son Zeeshan’s office.
“As today was Vijayadashami, processions of the goddess were passing through this area. So, there was the sound of musical instruments and crackers in this area. It has come to light that the attackers took advantage of this and shot at Baba Siddique. After this incident, the supporters of Baba Siddique gathered outside the Lilavati Hospital,” sources said.
Senior officers of the Mumbai Police reached the spot, and the investigation started.
Sources further said that Baba Siddique had received a death threat a fortnight ago. After that, he was given Y-security by the police. Accordingly, a police constable was stationed with Baba Siddique.
After the murder of Baba Siddique, a heavy police force has been deployed in the Khetwadi Junction area in northwest Mumbai.
The police have barricaded the place where Baba Siddique was fired upon.
Political fraternity condemns killing of NCP leader Baba Siddique
Calling the killing of the NCP leader shocking, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday demanded the ruling MahaYuti government in Maharashtra to order a thorough and transparent probe into Siddique’s death.
Taking to X on Sunday, Kharge said: “The tragic demise of former Maharashtra Minister Baba Siddique is shocking beyond words. In this hour of grief, I offer my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and supporters. Justice must be ensured, and the present Maharashtra government must order a thorough and transparent investigation. The culprits must be brought to book as soon as possible. Accountability is paramount.”
Congress General Secretary (Organisation), K.C. Venugopal, said in a post on X: “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.”
Venugopal wrote in another post on X: “This incident is a serious indictment of the crumbling law and order situation in Maharashtra. Siddique ji had on multiple occasions intimated the authorities about the threats to his life, and he suffered despite being under Y plus security. 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?”
Former Bihar Chief Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) Chief, Jitan Ram Manjhi, said in a post on X: “The news of the murder of Baba Siddiqui, one of the tall leaders of NCP, who hailed from Bihar, is very saddening. He was a lively person. We request the Almighty to grant him a high place in his abode and grant patience to his loved ones.@Dev_Fadnavis@mieknathshinde.”
AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi said in a post on X: “Baba Siddique’s murder is highly condemnable. It reflects the deteriorating state of law & order in Maharashtra. May Allah grant him maghfirah. My condolences to his family, friends & colleagues.”
Earlier, the Maharashtra NCP cancelled all party programmes on Sunday in the wake of the killing of party leader Baba Siddique — a former state Minister.
“Keeping in view the tragic death of our party colleague Baba Siddique, all party programmes for October 13, 2024 (Sunday) stand cancelled,” said the party in a post on X.
NCP National President and Deputy Maharashtra Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also cancelled his Jansanman Yatra, which was scheduled for Sunday at Amravati.
Shiv Sena-UBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, reacting to Siddique’s murder, said: “Shocked to hear about Baba Siddique being shot dead. My condolences to Zeeshan Siddique, wishing him and his family lots of strength in their toughest moment. This lawlessness in the city is unacceptable and should be probed by CBI.”
NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule, in a statement, said, “Shocking news! Baba Siddique is no more. Reportedly, he was shot dead. This is absolutely unacceptable when a member of the ruling government alliance is unsafe & killed in his own son’s office, that too in Mumbai, it speaks volumes about the law and order situation in Maharashtra!”
NCP-SP Legislator Rohit Pawar said, “The news of senior leader and former minister Baba Siddique’s death in firing is very shocking. I share the grief that has befallen the Siddique family. A heartfelt tribute!”
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–IANS
