3 People & 3 Rounds Of Bullets: Here's What Happened Before Baba Siddique Was Shot Dead

Former Maharashtra Minister and senior leader of Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Baba Siddique was shot dead in Bandra East, Mumbai, on Saturday evening.

How and When the firing took place?

The NCP leader was present at his MLA son Zeeshan Siddiqui’s office near Colgate ground in Nirmal Nagar in Bandra (East). He left the office premises around 9:30 pm. Three men, who have covered their faces with handkerchief, got down from their car and shot three rounds of fire at Siddique amid bursting crackers outside the office.

The grievously injured Siddique fall down after being shot in chest. He was immediately taken to Lilavati Hospital, where he died shortly after arrival. A 9.9 mm pistol was used in the shooting, suggesting a contract killing, according to a source.

The politician, who pulled a big switcheroo in February this year by ending his four-decade long ties with the Congress and joined the Ajit Pawar led NCP, had received a death threat just 15 days ago and was under ‘Y’ category security.

2 Suspects Held, 5 Teams Formed:

Police authorities confirmed that two suspects were arrested immediately after the incident. One of them is from Uttar Pradesh and the other from Haryana, while a third accused fled from the spot. The police have formed five teams to investigate the murder case. Sources within the Mumbai police stated that they will also examine the Bishnoi angle as part of the inquiry.

The firing took place on Dussehra and came ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, which are expected to be held later this year.

What Maharashtra Govt Said?

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that two people have been arrested in connection with the case and vowed that the state government will ensure that the case is tried in a fast-track court.

“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. The third accused is absconding. We have given instructions to Mumbai Police that strict action should be taken against those who take law and order into their hands…I am sure that Mumbai police will soon arrest the third accused… We will take this case to a fast-track court…” he said during a press conference.

The former MLA was known not just for his political acumen but also for hosting lavish Bollywood parties. A cold war between Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan was resolved at an iftaar party hosted by him in 2013.