Baba Siddique death LIVE updates: Maharashtra ex-minister and ...

Former Maharashtra Minister and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique was shot dead allegedly by three men in Mumbai’s Bandra area on Saturday, October 12, 2024. The shooting took place outside his son Zeeshan Siddique’s office in Neelamnagar. 

The officials in a recent development confirmed that two of the assailants have been arrested while the police are on the lookout for the third alleged accused in the case. 

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis rushed to the Lilavati Hospital where Siddique was taken for admission. Colleague and friend Ajit Pawar described the attack as extremely unfortunate and condemnable. 

Former Maharashtra Minister and Ajit Pawar-led NCP party leader Baba Siddique was one of the imminent political personalities for minorities in Maharashtra. He served as the Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies, Labour, and FDA. 

Born in Patna on September 13, 1958, raised in Mumbai, Siddique became the general secretary of the Bandra Youth Congress. He won his first election in 1999 as MLA from Bandra West constituency. Siddique won the seat for three consecutive terms in 1999, 2004 and 2009. 

Recently, he joined the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction after leaving the Congress in 2024. 

His yearly lavish Iftaar Party was filled with glamour as Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Sanjay Dutt, and Salman Khan were some of the regulars on the guest lists. 

His son Zeeshan Siddique is currently the Congress MLA from Mumbai.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visits Lilavati Hospital late on Saturday night to meet the family of NCP leader Baba Siddique. 

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Ministers, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, along with senior police officials, Union Minister, and RPI(A) chief Ramdas Athawale, and Parth Pawar, son of Ajit Pawar, also visits the hospital.

-ANI

Dr. Niraj Uttamani, Lilavati Hospital says, “...He was brought to NHRC emergency medical services at 9:30 pm on October 12, in an unresponsive condition with no pulse, no cardiac activity, no blood pressure, with a history of gunshot wounds.” 

He says, “He had lost a lot of blood and recitation was initiated immediately. He was shifted to ISU where further attempts for revival were made…”. 

“Despite all recitative efforts we were unable to revive him and was declared dead at 11:27 pm on October 12...”, he adds.

The Congress says the killing of NCP leader Baba Siddique is a serious indictment of the “crumbling” law and order situation in Maharashtra and demands a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident.

In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge says Siddique’s tragic demise is shocking beyond words.

“In this hour of grief, I offer my deepest condolences to his family, friends and supporters,” he says.

“Justice must be ensured, and the present Maharashtra Govt must order a thorough and transparent investigation. The culprits must be brought to book at the earliest. Accountability is paramount,” Kharge adds.

-PTI