The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique, who was a three-time MLA and former minister in the Maharashtra Cabinet, was shot dead late on Saturday. His final rites were performed with full state honors on Sunday night, following orders from Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, recognizing Siddique's service from 2004 to 2008 as a minister. The incident has sparked a political storm in Maharashtra as the Mumbai police confirmed that jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi was involved in the assassination, further igniting tensions ahead of the Assembly elections expected to be held in November 2024.

Investigation and Arrests:

Despite being under Y-level security, Baba Siddique was shot dead by three assailants in Bandra East while leaving his son Zeeshan Siddique’s office. The assailants fired multiple rounds, hitting Siddique in the chest and abdomen, which led to his death despite immediate medical attention at Lilavati Hospital. The investigation has revealed that the murder was a contract killing with Lawrence Bishnoi being the mastermind. Gurmail Singh and Dharamraj Kashyap, who were among those involved in the shooting, were presented in Killa court, with Singh remanded in police custody until October 21. However, confusion about Kashyap’s age led to the court ordering an ossification test before taking further steps. Two more suspects, Shivkumar Gautam and Mohamed Zeeshan Akhtar, are currently wanted in the case.

Political Fallout and Public Response:

The Opposition parties in Maharashtra, including Congress and NCP, have condemned the killing, demanding accountability for the rising criminal activities in the state. Sharad Pawar, along with several other leaders, called for the resignation of Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, accusing the government of failing to curb the increasing gang-related violence. Fadnavis is facing immense pressure, as Mumbai Police’s crime branch has taken over the case to investigate further connections and track down the remaining suspects.

The Mumbai crime branch has already detained two individuals—one from Haryana and the other from Uttar Pradesh—while the third suspect is said to be absconding. The investigation continues as the Maharashtra government finds itself battling political backlash while preparing for the upcoming Assembly elections.

Timeline of Events:

  * Shooting Incident: The shooting occurred when Baba Siddique was leaving his son’s office in Bandra East. The attackers fired six to seven rounds, hitting him thrice.

  * Hospitalization: He was rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where he succumbed to the injuries.

  * Suspects: Lawrence Bishnoi was identified as the mastermind behind the murder, and two suspects have been detained, while others are on the run.

  * Baba Siddique was a well-known figure in Maharashtra politics. He was elected as an MLA three times from the Bandra West constituency and was a minister in the Maharashtra government between 2004 and 2008. His death has caused immense grief, with many in his constituency mourning the loss of a dynamic leader.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra is heading toward a crucial Assembly election, and this political assassination has become a hot issue, with opposition parties accusing the government of not doing enough to maintain law and order. Leaders like Sharad Pawar have openly criticized the Shinde-led government, stating that the rising criminal activities are a sign of poor governance.

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