Baba Siddique Death Row: Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar meets Zeeshan Siddique
Former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique was buried on Sunday night with the state honours in the presence of a huge crowd, including political leaders, amid tight security. Siddique, a former three-time MLA from Bandra West and member of the Ajit Pawar faction of the National Congress Party (NCP), was shot dead on Saturday in Bandra East. He was 66.
At least six bullets were fired at Mr Siddique near his son Zeeshan's office and four hit him in the chest. Three men carried out the shooting during Dussehra festivities. The two suspects arrested in the killing of Mr Siddique have claimed they belong to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, said sources. However, the gang is yet to take responsibility for the murder, which was carried out despite the minister having the ‘Y' security. Cops suspect it to be contract killing.
Here are the highlights after Baba Siddique's murder:
Baba Siddique buried with state honours
Former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique was buried on Sunday night with the state honours in the presence of a huge crowd, including political leaders, amid tight security.
Baba Siddique murder: Last rites of Maharashtra strongman
Top politicians and Bollywood stars are at Baba Siddique's funeral.
Baba Siddique murder: Need to probe political rivalry angle, cops tell courtThe Mumbai Police today told court that it wanted Baba Siddique's murder was a result of political rivalry since Maharashtra assembly polls are round the corner.
Mr Siddique (66) was shot at in Nirmal Nagar area of Bandra East at around 9:30 pm on Saturday, and he died of his injuries in nearby Lilavati Hospital some time later.
Baba Siddique Dies: Salman Khan visits Baba Siddique's residence to pay respect
Actor Salman Khan visited the house of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique today, who dies being shot on Saturday.
Maharashtra Law And Order On Stake: Nana PatoleIn a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), Nana Patole, President - Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, shared a list of ministers who have been shot dead this year, so far.
Baba Siddquie Murder Accussed Produced In Court
The two accused in Baba Siddquie's murder - Gurmail and Dharamraj produced in Esplanade court (Killa court) in Mumbai.
"Mumbai Is Once Again In The Hands Of The Underworld": Congress Leader Tariq Anwar
Baba Siddique Death: Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader Aaditya Thackeray Arrives At Baba Siddique's Home
State's "Collapsed Law And Order Situation" Is Concerning For Sharad Pawar
The shooting of former state minister Baba Siddiqui is "regrettable", said Sharad Pawar, President of the Nationalist Congress Party - Sharadchandra Pawar. "If the Home Minister and the rulers are going to push the cart of the state so mildly, it can be an alarm bell for the common people. There is a need not only to investigate this, but also to accept the responsibility and step down from the position of the rulers.," he wrote in Marathi on X (formerly Twitter).
Baba Siddique Death: Mourning In Native Village Of BiharBaba Siddique hailed from Gopalganj district of Bihar. Ever since the news of his murder reached his hometown in Majha Block, villagers have been mourning the loss of their loved one.
Abdul Rahim Siddique, father of Baba Siddique, moved to Mumbai five decades ago and opened a watch shop. Baba Siddiqui spent his childhood there and got involved in Congress politics as a student. Later, he became a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and a minister in 2009.
Baba Siddique Death: Third Accused Shiva Last Seen In PanvalShiv Kumar Gautam, also known as Shiva, the third accused in Baba Siddique's death row fled after shooting the minister. He was last seen in Panvel, the Crime Branch said.
Upon checking the CCTV footage, it was found that the accused reached Kurla station by rickshaw from Bandra. From there he took a train to Panvel station. The police suspect that the accused has fled the state by taking an express train from Panvel.
Nana Patole's Heartfelt Tribute To Baba Siddique
Baba Siddique Death: Security Increased Outside Ministers' Bungalows In Malabar Hills
Following the assassination of former MLA Baba Siddique, security has been heightened in Malabar Hills area of Mumbai. Increased security outside bungalows of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers.
Baba Siddique Death: "Perpetrators Must Be Brought To Justice", Says Riteish Deshmukh
Baba Siddique Death: The Connection With Lawrence Bishnoi GangHours after Baba Siddique was shot dead, the Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the assassination through a social media post. Central agencies are now investigating the post, reportedly linked to a Facebook account belonging to Shibu Lonkar, who, sources suggest, may be Shubham Rameshwar Lonkar - an associate of the Bishnoi gang.
Earlier this year, Shubham Lonkar was arrested from Maharashtra's Akola for possession of illegal weapons and is believed to have strong connections with the Bishnoi network. During police interrogation, Shubham confessed to communicating with Anmol Bishnoi, Lawrence's close brother, through video calls, and Bishnoi himself.
In a social media post, Shibu mentioned about Anuj Thapan, who fired at Salman Khan's house earlier in April. Anuj was arrested by Mumbai Crime Branch. He died in the custody of Mumbai Police.
UP Shooters Wanted To Make A Name In The Underworld: SourcesTwo of the three shooters who killed former Minister Baba Siddique hail from Gandara village in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich, confirmed SP Vrinda Shukla. Both of them used to work for a scrap dealer in Pune. While Dharamraj Kashyap was arrested in Mumbai, Shiv Kumar Gautam, also known as Shiva, is on a run. According to the police, there is no criminal record of them.
"Dharamraj had left the house to work in Pune. We don't know when he moved to Mumbai," said Dharamraj's mother during an interrogation.
The shooters attacked Baba Siddique to make a name in the underworld, said the sources. The three accused met a member of Lawrence Bishnoi gang in Punjab jail.
"Shocked And saddened": PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti On Baba Siddique's 'Assassination'
All About Baba Siddique, Ajit Pawar Faction Leader Shot Dead In MumbaiBaba Siddique, who joined Congress as a teenager, pulled a big switcheroo in February when he quit his party of 48 years and joined Ajit Pawar's NCP.
Here's all you need to know about him:
read When Baba Siddique Helped End SRK-Salman Khan FeudBaba Siddique was known not just for his political connections across party lines, but also for hosting lavish parties. In one such party in 2013, Mr Siddique inadvertently played a role in uniting two of Bollywood's megastars, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan.
Read here.
AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal Reacts To Baba Siddique's Death
Baba Siddique Death: Security Heightened Outside Actor Salman Khan's HouseSecurity has been enhanced outside Galaxy apartments, the residence of actor Salman Khan, following Baba Siddique's murder.
Baba Siddique and Salman Khan were known to be close friends and the killing of the former Maharashtra minister took place six months after Lawrence Bishnoi gang members fired shots at Khan's home in Mumbai.
Rohit Godara, a close aide of Bishnoi, had earlier claimed that anyone who was a friend of Salman Khan was their enemy.
Bishnoi Gang Killed Baba Siddique?
Lawrence Bishnoi's gang claims responsibility for former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique's murder.
Strongman To Bollywood Mediator, Baba Siddique's Flamboyant Life
Baba Siddique's Death: "Opposition Should Politicise This", Says Ajit PawarDeputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar said the opposition should not politicise the death f of Baba Siddique. "He was also in the Congress." The remarks come after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised questions over the law and order situation in Maharashtra.
"The government must take responsibility, and justice must prevail," he said.
"The police are investigating," said Mr Pawar. Sharing details of the last rites, he said, "In a short while, the body will be taken to his house for people to pay their last respects. He will be buried at 8.30 pm in the Bada Kabristan in Marine Lines."
Latest Update On Three ShootersShiv Kumar Gautam, also known as Shiva, the third accused on a run, was working with a scrap dealer in Pune for about six years. A couple of months ago, he had invited Dharamraj, one of the three accused, to Pune for work. The person who gave the contract of Baba Siddique's murder arranged a meeting between the three shooters - Shiva, Dharmaraj and Gurmail.
A case of murder is also registered against Gurmail. No criminal record of the other two accused has been found so far.
While 23-year-old Gurmail Baljit Singh is a resident of Haryana, 19-year-old Dharamraj Rajesh Kashyap and Shiva are from Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich.
Baba Siddique Death: "Justice Must Prevail", Says Rahul GandhiCongress leader Rahul Gandhi said the killing of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique 'exposed' the collapse of law and order in Maharashtra. "The government must take responsibility, and justice must prevail," he said.
In a post on X, he wrote: "The tragic demise of Baba Siddique ji is shocking and saddening. My thoughts are with his family in this difficult time."
Ajit Pawar Meet Baba Siddique's Son Zeeshan SiddiqueAjit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra met Baba Siddique's son Zeeshan Siddique, following his murder. Baba Siddique was the member of the Ajit Pawar faction of the National Congress Party (NCP).
Two Accused Arrested In Baba Siddique Murder To Be Presented In Killa Court At 12Both the accused arrested in Baba Siddique's murder case will be presented in Killa Court at 12 pm. Their medical checkup will be done in GT Hospital.
Two men - Gurmail Baljit Singh, 23, from Haryana and Dharamraj Rajesh Kashyap, 19, from Uttar Pradesh - have been arrested while the third, Shiv Kumar Gautam (Shiva) from Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich remains on the run.
Zeeshan Siddique Posts About Baba Siddique's Death, Informs About Burial
This Was Baba Siddique's Last Post Before He Was Shot DeadTwo days before his shocking murder, Baba Siddique had posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, honouring the late industrialist Ratan Tata, who died on October 9 at age 86. In his post, Mr Siddique described Ratan Tata's death as the "End of an Era."
Baba Siddique Shot Dead: Ex-Minister Received Death Threat 15 Days Ago
Sources close to Baba Siddique claim he had received a death threat 15 days ago and was given the 'Y' category security cover. Mr Siddique, however, did not report any threat from the Bishnoi gang, according to the police.
Visuals From The Spot Where NCP Leader Baba Siddiqui Was Shot
State Funeral For Baba SiddiqueMaharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has ordered a state funeral with full government honuors for former Minister of State Baba Siddique.
How Baba Siddique's Murder Was Carried Out
The three accused arrived at the shooting spot in an auto rickshaw and waited for a while before the shooting took place, added the sources in the crime branch. Police believe someone else was providing them with information about Mr Siddique's location.
Baba Siddique's Murder: Planning And PlottingThe three accused received weapons a few days before the planned shooting through a human courier, according to the sources. The three shooters have been living in a rented house in Kurla for the past two months, for ₹ 14,000 per month. Reportedly, the shooters were paid ₹ 3 lakh in advance, to execute the murder. The money was to be divided between four people who took the contract for the murder.
During their interrogation by the Mumbai Police Crime Branch, which lasted for seven hours, the two arrested suspects claimed they had been conducting a recce of the shooting spot in Bandra East for nearly a month, said sources. They also recced Mr Siddique's home and office much in advance.
Baba Siddique Shooters Claim To Be From Lawrence Bishnoi Gang: Sources
The two suspects arrested in the killing of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique have claimed they belong to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, said sources. Cops are yet to verify this claim while the gang is yet to admit responsibility for the murder that has sparked security concerns ahead of the Maharashtra state elections.
Baba Siddique Murder: Ajit Pawar "Shocked", Lost A "Good Colleague, Friend"Soon after Baba Siddique was declared dead, Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra took to X (formerly Twitter) and expressed grief over the death of former minister.
" I was shocked to know that he died in this incident. I have lost my good colleague, friend. I strongly condemn this cowardly attack. I offer my heartfelt tributes to Baba Siddiqui," he wrote.
The incident will be thoroughly investigated and strict action will be taken against the attackers, he said. "The mastermind behind the attack will also be traced."
Extending condolences to the family, he said, "With the demise of Baba Siddiqui, we have lost a good leader who fought for the minority brothers and strived for pan-religious harmony. His death is a big loss for NCP. I share in the grief of Zeeshan Siddiqui, Siddiqui family and their workers.
Gang-War-Like Situation Should Not Resurface In Mumbai: CM Eknath Shinde
"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," said Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in Marathi.
Baba Siddique Death: Body Shifted To Cooper Hospital For PostmortemFormer Minister Baba Siddique was rushed to the Lilavati Hospital's emergency medical services at 9.30 pm in an unresponsive condition with no pulse, no cardiac activity, and no blood pressure, officials from the medical facility told news agency PTI.
He had lost a lot of blood. He was shifted to the ICU in an attempt to save him but was declared dead at 11.27 pm. This morning, around 6 am, Mr Siddique's body was shifted to Cooper Hospital for postmortem.
Baba Siddique Death: Two Of The Three Accused Arrested
Baba Siddique was shot dead between 9:15 pm and 9:30 pm on Saturday near Zeeshan, his son's office in Bandra East. Two men - 23-year-old Gurmail Baljit Singh from Haryana and 19-year-old Dharamraj Rajesh Kashyap from Uttar Pradesh - were arrested while the third shooter, Shiv Kumar remains on the run. Mumbai police have sought the help of Haryana and UP police for details on the two arrested accused.
Minister Baba Siddique Shot DeadBaba Siddique, 66, a prominent politician from the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party and a former three-time MLA from Bandra East, was shot dead in Bandra last night.