In a shocking incident on Saturday night, Baba Siddique, a prominent Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former Maharashtra minister, was shot dead by three unidentified men in Kher Nagar, Mumbai. The 66-year-old politician was attacked outside his son’s office around 9:30 pm. Siddique, who had previously represented the Bandra (West) seat in the Maharashtra assembly three times, was rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where he was declared dead upon arrival.
The Mumbai Police quickly launched an investigation into the murder, recovering six empty bullet shells from the crime scene. While the exact number of bullets fired is unclear, the police have confirmed that a 9.9mm pistol was used in the attack. Two suspects from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana have already been arrested, while a third is still on the run.
Siddique had reportedly received threats to his life just two weeks prior, prompting the authorities to upgrade his security to Y-category. One potential angle the police are exploring is the involvement of the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which has been linked to multiple high-profile criminal cases, including alleged threats to Bollywood superstar Salman Khan.
Salman Khan, a close associate of Baba Siddique, was among the first celebrities to visit Lilavati Hospital, where he offered condolences to Siddique’s family. Siddique, known for his connections with Bollywood stars, had a strong bond with actors like Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Sanjay Dutt. Salman Khan has been under threat from the Bishnoi gang in recent years, which has drawn police attention to a possible link between Siddique’s murder and Khan’s own security concerns.
Other Bollywood personalities, including Shilpa Shetty and Riteish Deshmukh, also visited the hospital. Deshmukh took to social media, expressing his grief and demanding swift justice for Siddique. Zaheer Iqbal, another actor close to the family, was seen at the hospital as well.
The incident has sent shockwaves through Maharashtra’s political and entertainment circles. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, and other prominent leaders, including Sharad Pawar, rushed to the hospital late Saturday night. Shinde condemned the attack, promising strict action against those responsible. Opposition leaders, however, were quick to criticize the government, questioning the state’s law and order situation after a high-profile leader with Y-category security was killed so brazenly.
As investigations continue, the police are leaving no stone unturned, with many fearing a deeper, more dangerous connection between Mumbai’s political and criminal underworld.