A wave of shock and grief washed over Mumbai on October 12, 2023, as news of the fatal shooting of NCP leader Baba Siddique emerged. The incident occurred around 9:30 pm near Colgate ground in Nirmal Nagar, Bandra (East), where Siddique was outside his son Zeeshan Siddiqui’s office.
Two masked assailants emerged from a car and fired shots at Siddique, amidst the celebratory sounds of bursting crackers during Dussehra celebrations. Doctors at Lilavati Hospital confirmed that Siddique sustained two gunshot wounds to the chest and succumbed to his injuries despite extensive efforts to revive him. He was declared dead at 11:27 PM.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, visited Lilavati Hospital and vowed to take strict action against those involved. He announced that two suspects, hailing from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, have been apprehended, while one remains at large. The weapon used in the crime, a 9.9mm pistol, has been recovered by Mumbai Police.
This tragic event has triggered widespread outrage and raised serious questions about law and order in Maharashtra, particularly with state elections slated for the coming months. Opposition leaders, including Sharad Pawar and Aaditya Thackeray, have expressed their deep concern and condemned the incident, questioning the state government’s ability to maintain safety and security. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called for a thorough and transparent investigation, demanding justice for Siddique and his family.
Baba Siddique, a prominent figure in Maharashtra politics, represented the Bandra (West) seat in the state assembly for three terms. He joined the NCP earlier this year after quitting the Congress. His loss is deeply felt by his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire political fraternity.
