Baba Siddique, a prominent 66-year-old lawmaker and former minister in Maharashtra, was shot dead on Saturday in Mumbai, just weeks before key state elections. The senior politician, known for his close ties to Bollywood stars and his grand parties, was gunned down outside his son’s office. He was shot multiple times in the chest, according to Indian media reports.
Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar, expressed his shock at the “cowardly attack,” vowing that a thorough investigation would be conducted, and the attackers brought to justice. Two suspects have been arrested, and police are searching for a third.
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The suspects allegedly belong to the gang of Lawrence Bishnoi, a notorious crime lord currently in jail. Siddique had received death threats recently, leading to an upgrade in his security detail. The incident has sent shockwaves through the state, adding tension to the political landscape as elections approach.
Authorities have assured that strict action will be taken, and efforts to trace the mastermind behind the attack are underway.