An Indian politician, Baba Siddique, was brutally shot dead in Mumbai, the commercial capital of the country. The attack occurred near the office of his son, who is also involved in politics, as confirmed by local media reports.
In the aftermath of this shocking incident, authorities have arrested two individuals in connection with Siddique’s murder. At 66 years old, Siddique was a prominent figure in Maharashtra state politics and had previously served as a local minister. His assassination raises serious concerns ahead of the upcoming legislative polls scheduled for next month.
Earlier this year, Siddique made headlines when he switched allegiance from the Congress party, India’s primary opposition group, to the regional National Congress Party (NCP), which is part of the ruling coalition with the BJP. The deputy chief minister of Maharashtra expressed his outrage over the “cowardly attack,” highlighting the severity of the situation.
Known for his extravagant lifestyle and connections to Bollywood icons, Siddique’s high-profile status made this incident even more significant. The shooting took place amidst heightened security protocols due to a major Hindu festival occurring in the city.
Opposition parties have voiced strong criticism of the government, pointing to serious security lapses which allowed this tragedy to unfold. In response, the state government has pledged a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
Despite the arrests, law enforcement officials have not yet clarified the motive behind the shooting. A third suspect is still being pursued, with reports suggesting that the attackers may be linked to a gang led by the infamous criminal Lawrence Bishnoi, currently incarcerated for multiple high-profile murder offenses, including the killing of Indian rapper Sidhu Moose Wala in 2022.
Notably, Siddique had recently upgraded his security detail due to credible death threats, making this murder all the more alarming.
