Mumbai, India — The city of Mumbai is grappling with shock and mourning following the assassination of Baba Siddique, 66, a prominent politician and member of the Nationalist Congress Party, who was fatally shot last night in Mumbai’s Bandra East neighborhood. Siddique, a former three-time Member of the Legislative Assembly from Bandra West, was attacked near his son Zeeshan’s office amidst Dussehra festivities.
Siddique suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the incident, with reports indicating that at least six shots were fired, four of which struck him in the chest. Law enforcement authorities have arrested two suspects, who have alleged ties to the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, although the gang has yet to claim responsibility officially.
The context of Siddique’s killing, despite the high-level ‘Y’ category security he had been assigned, raises alarming questions about the efficacy of security measures provided to high-risk individuals in the city. It is believed that the motive behind the assassination could be a contract killing, a dark throwback to the city’s troubled times riddled with organized crime.
The tragedy has sent waves of grief through Siddique’s native village in Gopalganj district of Bihar, where residents are deeply mourning the veteran leader’s abrupt demise. Siddique, who had moved to Mumbai over fifty years ago, rose through the ranks of political circles anchored by his early involvement with the Congress party, before eventually aligning with the NCP.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, security protocols have been ramped up significantly across Mumbai, especially in high-profile areas such as Malabar Hills where many politicians reside. The assassination has also prompted increased security measures outside the homes of other prominent figures, including Bollywood actor Salman Khan, a known associate of Siddique.
The police have initiated a detailed investigation into the shooting, reviewing CCTV footage and conducting raids to apprehend Shiv Kumar Gautam, also known as Shiva, the third accused still at large. The footage traced Gautam’s movements from a rickshaw in Bandra to the Kurla station, and from there to Panvel, indicating that he might have fled the state.
The killing has drawn severe criticism and elicited condolences from across the political spectrum. Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar, met with Siddique’s grieving family, asserting the need to avoid politicizing the tragedy while ensuring that justice prevails. Celebrities and politicians, including actor Riteish Deshmukh and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, expressed their deep condolences and emphasized the need for stringent action against those responsible.
Political responses have also highlighted the incident as indicative of broader issues of law and order in the state. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi emphasized that the government must take responsibility to safeguard its citizens and prevent such tragic events in the future.
As the city mourns the loss of one of its prominent leaders, the authorities continue their search for the remaining suspect and the mastermind behind the assassination, promising swift and decisive action to bring the perpetrators to justice. Meanwhile, Baba Siddique’s legacy as a unifier and a community leader remains celebrated by many who knew him and were touched by his long-standing service and commitment to the welfare of his constituents.