NCP Leader Baba Siddique Shot Dead in Mumbai

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde confirmed that two alleged shooters had been apprehended.

Baba Siddique, a senior leader of Ajit Pawar faction’s National Congress Party (NCP), has died after being shot by unidentified persons in Bandra, Mumbai last night.

The attack occurred last night outside the office of his son, MLA Zeeshan Siddique, near Colgate Ground in Nirmal Nagar, as per a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI).

According to police reports, two to three rounds were fired in the attack. The Maharashtra Police have initiated a detailed investigation, with teams rushing to the scene shortly after the incident. Baba Siddique, 66, was immediately rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where medical personnel tried to save him. Despite resuscitative efforts, Siddique succumbed to his injuries at 11:27 pm, as confirmed by the hospital.

The incident occurred when Baba Siddique was celebrating Dussehra by bursting firecrackers. Eyewitness accounts suggest that three men, whose faces were concealed with handkerchiefs, emerged from a vehicle and opened fire on the senior NCP leader. One of the bullets struck Siddique in the chest, causing him to collapse on the spot. A bullet also shattered the windshield of Siddique’s vehicle, confirming the multiple rounds fired during the attack.

The attackers reportedly used a 9.9 mm pistol, and three bullet casings were recovered from the spot.

Following the attack, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde confirmed that two alleged shooters had been apprehended. The suspects, Karnail Singh and Dharamraj Kashyap, hail from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, respectively. They have reportedly confessed to being members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a criminal outfit with a growing influence in organized crime across India. According to police sources, the attackers had been monitoring Siddique’s movements for the past month before executing their plan.

While two suspects are now in police custody, a third attacker managed to escape. Efforts to locate and apprehend the miscreant are ongoing, with the Mumbai Police intensifying their search.

Chief Minister Shinde promised strict action against the perpetrators and stated, “No one can take law and order into their own hands.” He has directed the Mumbai Police to expedite their investigation and ensure swift justice. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, a key figure in the NCP and a close associate of Siddique, canceled his Sunday engagements and is expected to return to Mumbai. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also visited Lilavati Hospital after the shooting.

Ajit Pawar expressed deep sorrow over Siddique’s death, stating that he had lost a “good colleague and a good friend.” The news of the murder has ignited concerns over the state of law and order in Maharashtra, particularly with the upcoming assembly elections. Opposition leaders have already started raising questions, pointing to the audacity of the attack on a high-profile politician as a sign of worsening public safety in the state.

Baba Siddique, born on 13 September 1958 in Patna, was a seasoned politician who spent most of his life in Mumbai. He joined the Congress Party in 1977 and quickly rose through the ranks, thanks to his strong connections with the local electorate. Siddique made his political debut in 1999 when he won the Bandra West constituency in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. His victory was attributed to his grassroots appeal and his ability to unite diverse communities in the area.

Siddique successfully represented Bandra West for three consecutive terms until 2014. He held various important positions, including Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies, Labour, and FDA. Also, he served as the Chairman of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority’s (MHADA) Mumbai Board from 2000 to 2004.

Siddique’s family, including his wife Shehzeen Siddique, daughter Dr Arshia Siddique, and son Zeeshan Siddique, currently an MLA, are mourning the tragic loss. His death marks the end of an era for Maharashtra politics, where Siddique was known for his strong leadership and public service.

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