Baba Siddique shot dead, Chief Minister assures strict action against assailants

Eknath Shinde said that Baba Siddique was shot outside his son Zeeshan Siddique's office.

In Short

• NCP leader Baba Siddique shot dead in Maharashtra
• Incident occurred outside MLA Zeeshan Siddique's office
• Two of three accused arrested, one still on the run

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said strict action will be taken against the accused after NCP leader Baba Siddique was shot dead on Saturday evening. The NCP leader was shot outside his son and MLA Zeeshan Siddique's office. Chief Minister Shinde said two out of the three people involved in Baba Siddique's killing had been arrested, while the third was yet to be caught.

"Very strict and strong action will be taken against all three accused. Two accused were arrested and one is still at large. Nobody can take law and order in their hands. Given instructions to Mumbai police," Eknath Shinde said.

Calling the incident unfortunate, Eknath Shinde informed that the two accused who have been taken into custody are from UP and Haryana.

"This is an extremely unfortunate incident and I spoke to the doctors and police. Two people have been arrested. The accused are from UP and Haryana. I am sure that Mumbai police will soon arrest the third accused," the chief minister said.

Reacting to the news, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said he lost a "good colleague and a good friend".

"The incident will be thoroughly investigated, and strict action will be taken against the attackers. The mastermind behind the attack will also be traced," Ajit Pawar said.

Criticizing the Maharashtra government for the law and order situation in the state, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey asked how the Mahayuti government would keep the common people safe if they can't protect their own leaders. He asked for Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' resignation and said that Eknath Shinde had no right to continue as the chief minister.

"If former MLAs are not safe in Mumbai, if leaders of the government are not safe, then how will this government protect the common people? If they cannot keep their MLAs and former ministers safe, then Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis should resign."

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar expressed a similar sentiment, saying there was a need to not only investigate the case but for the ruling government to step down.

"The state's collapsed law and order situation is a cause for concern. The shooting of former state minister Baba Siddiqui in Mumbai, the financial capital of the country, is regrettable," the former Maharashtra Chief Minister stated.

"The murder of Baba Siddique ji is shocking. We pray for his soul to rest in peace and send our condolences to his family and friends. This, sadly, reflects the law and order situation in Maharashtra. The complete collapse of administration, law and order," Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said.

Baba Siddique was shot near his son's office around 9.20 pm on Saturday when he was bursting firecrackers on the occasion of Dussehra.

As Siddique was bursting firecrackers, three assailants emerged from a vehicle, their faces covered with handkerchiefs. Without warning, they opened fire with a 9.9 mm pistol, discharging three rounds, one of which struck Siddiqui in the chest, causing him to collapse on the spot.

The police have recovered the pistol that was used by the accused to shoot Baba Siddique.