New Delhi: Ziauddin Siddique, aka Baba Siddique, was granted Y category security following threats he received, a report by the Times of India mentioned. He was assigned a personal security officer to provide round-the-clock protection. The NCP leader was shot dead near the office of his MLA son Zeeshan around 9.30pm on Saturday by three assailants, two of whom have since been apprehended by police. Authorities have recovered a 9.9mm pistol believed to have been used in the crime.
The police are currently investigating the motive behind his murder, exploring possible links to a Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) dispute and the involvement of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Siddique was known to have close ties with actor Salman Khan, who has also been targeted by the Bishnoi gang.
Siddique sustained two gunshot wounds to his chest
Siddique sustained two gunshot wounds to his chest, a doctor at the Lilavati Hospital said. Dr Jalil Parkar, a physician at the hospital, said, “He was brought here at around 9.30pm. When he arrived in the emergency room, his pulse and blood pressure were unrecordable, and the ECG showed a flat line. He was moved to the ICU.” Siddique was declared dead at 11.27pm due to the injuries to his chest, as confirmed by hospital sources to news agency ANI.
Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde described the incident as “very unfortunate” and said that one of the assailants was from Uttar Pradesh and another from Haryana. The Commissioner of Police has informed him that efforts are underway to capture the third suspect. All three will face trial in a fast-track court.
A three-term MLA and a minister
Earlier this year, Siddique had shifted his political allegiance from Congress to Ajit Pawar’s NCP. He had served as an MLA for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2009 and held the position of minister of state for food and civil supplies, labour, and FDA from 2004 to 2008. He also served as a municipal corporator for two terms between 1992 and 1997.
Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar expressed his shock at Siddique’s passing on social media, lamenting the loss of a valued colleague and friend.
