Mumbai, October 12 – Baba Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister and a prominent figure in Ajit Pawar’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was fatally shot on the evening of Dussehra near his office in Mumbai. The attack took place around 9:15 pm while Siddique was participating in the festive activity of bursting firecrackers.
Eyewitnesses report that three attackers, their faces concealed by handkerchiefs, arrived in a vehicle, abruptly opened fire using a 9.9 mm pistol, and hit Siddique in the chest and stomach. Siddique collapsed immediately and was swiftly taken to Lilavati Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Police responded promptly to the incident, managing to arrest two of the assailants shortly after the attack. The arrested individuals are from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. A manhunt is ongoing for the third suspect who remains at large.
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The Mumbai police are currently investigating the motives behind this brazen attack, which has sent shockwaves through the political community in Maharashtra.
Responding to the attack, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has pledged strict action against those responsible for the attack on the NCP leader. “Two accused have been arrested, and one suspect is still at large. No one can take law and order into their own hands,” Shinde said.
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Chief Minister Shinde has instructed the Mumbai Police to act quickly to catch the last suspect involved in the shooting of Baba Siddique. He emphasized that justice must be served swiftly.
In response to the incident, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has put off all his plans for Sunday and is set to come back to Mumbai by midnight. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has already visited Lilavati Hospital where Siddique was taken after the attack.
