Former Maharashtra Minister Baba Siddique Killed In Bandra Shooting, Arrested Suspects Allegedly Linked To Lawrence Bishnoi Gang

Former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique shot dead in Bandra. Two suspects, allegedly linked to Lawrence Bishnoi gang, arrested.

Baba Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister and a member of the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the NCP, has died after being shot in Bandra, Mumbai.

According to reports, six bullets were fired by the shooters at around 9.30 pm on Saturday (12 October) near the office of Siddique's son Zeeshan, who is the MLA from Bandra East.

The police have arrested two people in connection with the shooting.

Siddique was immediately taken to Lilavati Hospital after the attack.

The 66-year-old NCP leader was reportedly struck by four bullets, and one of his associates also sustained a gunshot injury.

The firing took place on Dussehra and came months ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, which are expected to be held later this year.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed his grief over the incident, stating that he had spoken with both the police and hospital authorities.

"The incident is extremely unfortunate. There are reports that he (Mr Siddique) has died. Two people have been arrested, one from Uttar Pradesh and one from Haryana, while another is on the run. I have asked the police to take strict action and ensure no one takes law and order into their hands. A gang-war-like situation should not be allowed to resurface in Mumbai," he said in Marathi.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also manages the Home department, visited the hospital following the incident.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar wrote on X that he was shocked to know about Siddique's death and that he had lost a good colleague and friend.

According to reports, the two suspects arrested in the killing of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique have claimed they belong to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

However, the Maharashtra police is yet to verify this claim while the gang is yet to admit responsibility for the murder.

Baba Siddique had been a three-term MLA from Bandra West and was associated with the Congress for 48 years before switching to Ajit Pawar's faction of the NCP in February this year.

His son, Zeeshan Siddique, was expelled from the Congress in August.

Baba Siddique was elected as an MLA from Bandra West in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 1999, 2004, and 2009.

Between 2004 and 2008, he served as the Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies, Labour, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Also Read: India Strengthens Border Infrastructure With Inauguration Of 75 New BRO Projects Amid Tensions With China