Two suspects are in custody after Baba Siddiqui was shot multiple times outside his MLA son’s office in Mumbai.
A senior Muslim politician has been shot dead in India’s financial capital Mumbai, just weeks before key state elections, with police investigating the role of a notorious crime gang.
Baba Siddiqui, 66, a three-time MLA and former minister in Maharashtra state, was shot multiple times outside the office of his MLA son in Mumbai on Saturday night, police said in a statement.
He later died at Lilavati Hospital in the city.
Siddiqui was associated with the main opposition Congress party for decades, but recently joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) – a regional party that is a combination of another regional group, Shiv Sena, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Rules Maharashtra in alliance with. ,
Assembly elections are expected to be held in Maharashtra in November.
The shooting came weeks after Siddiqui’s security system was upgraded after he allegedly received death threats.
News agency Press Trust of India reported that two suspected attackers had been arrested and police were searching for another.
Broadcaster NDTV said both suspects claimed they were part of a gang run by Lawrence Bishnoi, who is accused of running a crime ring that has carried out several murders.
Siddiqui was also close to many Bollywood superstars and was known for organizing lavish parties.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who heads Siddiqui’s NCP group, said he was “shocked” by the killing.
The incident will be thoroughly investigated and strict action will be taken against the attackers. The mastermind behind the attack will also be traced,” Pawar said in a statement on Twitter.
“This is not the time for division or to exploit the pain of others for political gain. For now, our focus should be on ensuring that justice is served.”
The NCP is devastated by the tragic loss of Shri Baba Siddiqui, a leader who was deeply loved by many, and personally, I have lost a dear friend whom I have known for years. We are saddened and struggle to understand the cruelty of this incident. This isn’t just a political loss—it’s…
– Ajit Pawar (@AgitPawarSpeaks) 13 October 2024
