Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday said two people have been arrested in the shooting of former NCP MLA Baba Siddique, who died in Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital, 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.
Mumbai Police sources, meanwhile, said it has formed five teams to probe the case and will also be looking into the involvement of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
After the news broke, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar cancelled his tour to Amravati, part of his campaign for the upcoming assembly elections. The other deputy, Devendra Fadnavis, also reached Lilavati Hospital to take stock of the situation.
In a condolence message on X, Ajit Pawar described the attack as extremely unfortunate and condemnable. “I was shocked on learning that he died in this incident,” he said, adding that he had lost a good friend and colleague.
“We have lost a leader who fought for the minority community and championed secularism,” he said, adding that a thorough probe will be conducted into the attack.
Lilavati Hospital confirmed that Siddique succumbed to his injuries. Three unidentified assailants fired at and injured him in Bandra East in the evening. The incident took place outside his son and MLA Zeeshan Siddique’s office near Colgate ground in Nirmal Nagar.
Baba Siddique received death threat, was under ‘Y’ category security
According to police sources, two to three rounds were fired at Baba Siddique from a 9.9 mm pistol. They said the shooting is most likely a “contract killing”.
The sources further said leader had previously received a death threat only 15 days ago and was placed under ‘Y’ category security. The former state minister suffered grievous injuries, a police official said.
Siddique, a three time-former MLA, had recently joined the NCP from the Congress. In span of a week, two NCP leaders have been killed. Last week, office-bearer Sachin Kurmi was stabbed in Byculla area of South Mumbai.
(With PTI inputs)
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