Baba Siddique Shot Dead In Heart of Mumbai, Police Arrest 2 Assailants

Mumbai: Baba Siddique, senior leader of Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), died on Saturday after he was shot multiple times in Mumbai's Bandra by unidentified people. Baba Siddique was rushed to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital after he was targeted but succumbed to the injuries.

According to police sources, three assailants fired at and injured Baba Siddiqui in Mumbai's Bandra East on Saturday evening. The former state minister was admitted to Lilavati Hospital but couldn't survive, a police official said.

The firing took place outside his MLA son Zeeshan Siddiqui's office near Colgate ground in Nirmal Nagar, the official added.

Mumbai police have informed that two of three suspects involved in the firing on Baba Siddique have been taken into custody.

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde 's first statement 

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said earlier that Mumbai police commissioner Vivek Phansalkar had told him that two alleged shooters have been taken into custody.

One of them is from Uttar Pradesh and the other from Haryana, while a third accused fled from the spot, the CM told TV channels.

Lilavati Hospital Doctor's Response

Dr Niraj Uttamani of Lilavati Hospital said, “He was brought to NHRC emergency medical services at 9:30 pm on October 12, in an unresponsive condition with no pulse, no cardiac activity, no blood pressure, with a history of gunshot wounds. He had lost a lot of blood and recitation was initiated immediately. He was shifted to ISU where further attempts for revival were made. Despite all recitative efforts we were unable to revive him and was declared dead at 11:27 pm on October 12.”

Timeline of attack on Baba Siddique  

• Baba Siddique left the office between 9:15 pm to 9:20 pm. He was firing crackers near his office when attacked.
• While bursting crackers, suddenly three people got out of the vehicle.
• These three people came with handkerchiefs tied on their faces. They then fired three rounds at Baba Siddique.
• The firing took place near the Ram Mandir near Baba Siddique's office. he fell down after being shot in the chest.
• He was immediately rushed to Lilavati Hospital. 
• As soon as the police received the information, the police entered the spot.

Oppn Attacks Mahayuti Govt

The shocking incident prompted the Opposition to question the law and order situation in the state where assembly elections are expected to be held next month.

Ajit Pawar Condoles Siddique's death

In a condolence message on X, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar described the attack as extremely unfortunate and condemnable.

"I was shocked on learning that he died in this incident," Pawar said, adding that he had lost a good friend and colleague.

"We have lost a leader who fought for the minority community and championed secularism," he said, adding that a thorough probe would be conducted into the attack.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, arrived at Lilavati Hospital sometime after the incident.

Siddique joined Ajit Pawar -NCP last year

Siddiqui had joined the Ajit Pawar-led NCP only this year. Baba Siddique had represented Bandra (West) seat three times in the assembly. A prominent Muslim leader from Mumbai, Siddique was also known to be close to several Bollywood stars.

Sharad Pawar slams Maharashtra 's deteriorating law and order 

NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar said the deteriorating law and order situation was worrying. It was also alarming that the situation was being handled so lightly, Pawar said as he targeted Home Minister Fadnavis.

The ruling party should take responsibility and quit, the senior Pawar said in his post on X.

Balasaheb Thorat, leader of the Congress legislature party in the Maharashtra assembly, said a leader from the ruling party with Y-category security was shot dead, which raises serious questions about the law and order situation.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said the murder was shocking.

"This, sadly, reflects on the law and order situation in Maharashtra. The complete collapse of administration, law and order," Thackeray said. 

NCP working president Praful Patel, a close friend of Siddiqui, said he was at a loss for words.

BJP leader and former Congressman Ashok Chavan said he had worked with Siddiqui when both were in the grand old party, adding the news was shocking.

In a post on X, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, the party's in-charge for Maharashtra, said he was deeply shocked at the death of a "dear friend from my Youth Congress days". 

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) spokesperson Anand Dubey said, “If former MLAs are not safe in our city Mumbai, if leaders of the government are not safe then how will this government protect the common people? If they cannot keep their MLAs and former ministers safe then Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis should resign. He has no right to continue as the Home Minister. Eknath Shinde has no right to continue as the CM of the state. There is firing on the streets of Mumbai in broad daylight. Three rounds are being fired and people are being shot at... Is this law and order?... The criminals have no fear... The policies of the Mahayuti and BJP had maligned the politics...”