NDTV reports that he was shot several times in the chest outside his son's office on Saturday.
Baba Siddique, a former minister in Maharashtra, a state in the western peninsular region of India has been shot dead in Mumbai.
NDTV reports that he was shot several times in the chest outside his son's office on Saturday.
Siddique was getting into his vehicle when three assailants arrived on foot and fired multiple rounds at him.
Siddique, who sustained bullet injuries on his chest, was declared dead on arrival, sources in Lilavati Hospital where he was rushed to told TOI.
Nobody other than Baba Siddique was injured, confirmed police. Cops are checking CCTV footage to ascertain the sequence of events.
The 66-year-old lawmaker who was known for his lavish parties, is due to hold state elections next month.
Maharashtra's deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar, who is from the same party as Siddique, in a post on his X account, said he was "shocked" by the "cowardly attack."
“The NCP has been devastated by the tragic loss of Shri Baba Siddique, a leader deeply loved by many, and personally, I have lost a dear friend whom I have known for years,” he said. “We are heartbroken, struggling to grasp the cruelty of this incident. This is not just a political loss—it’s a deeply personal tragedy that has shaken us all.
“I strongly urge everyone to resist the temptation to politicize this horrifying event. This is not a time for division or for exploiting the pain of others for political advantage. Right now, our focus must be on ensuring that justice is served. We will not rest until those responsible are brought to account.
“But in this moment, I ask that we pause, that we honor the immense grief of Baba Siddique’s family, who have suffered the greatest loss. Let us show respect and compassion rather than allowing opportunistic voices to turn this tragedy into a political spectacle.
“This is a time for unity, for mourning, and for remembering a leader who was deeply cherished by so many.”
https://x.com/AjitPawarSpeaks/
The Hindustan Times newspaper reported that two suspects had been arrested, with police looking for a third.
NDTV reports that the suspects claimed they were part of a gang run by Lawrence Bishnoi, who is in jail on charges of running a criminal gang that has carried out multiple killings.
In February, Baba Siddique ended his 48-year-long association with Congress and joined the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.
Siddique was an MLA for three consecutive terms in 1999, 2004 and 2009, and had also served as a minister of state for food and civil supplies, labour and FDA (2004-08), and municipal corporator earlier for two consecutive terms (1992-1997).
He has also served as the chairperson and senior vice-president of the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee and parliamentary board of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee.
https://www.ndtv.com/india-