Mumbai: The second accused in the high-profile murder case of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique will undergo a bone ossification test to verify his age. This decision came from a Mumbai court today, as police custody has been temporarily withheld. The suspect, who was apprehended in Uttar Pradesh, claims to be a minor, despite his Aadhaar card indicating he is 19 years old.
Baba Siddique, 66, was tragically shot outside his son Zeeshan Siddique’s office in Bandra East, Mumbai, late last night. The killing has been linked to the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which has publicly taken responsibility for the crime.
Authorities have confirmed that three shooters were involved in the attack, with two suspects already arrested, 23-year-old Gurmail Baljit Singh from Haryana and the alleged minor from Uttar Pradesh. The third shooter, Shiv Kumar Gautam, is currently at large, along with their unidentified handler.
The murder has ignited a fierce political backlash ahead of the upcoming state elections. The Opposition Congress party has seized the opportunity to criticise the Eknath Shinde-led government for what they deem a severe decline in law and order.
Prominent Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed his sorrow over Siddique’s death, stating, “The tragic demise of Baba Siddique ji is shocking and saddening. My thoughts are with his family in this difficult time. This horrifying incident exposes the complete collapse of law and order in Maharashtra. The government must take responsibility, and justice must prevail.”
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for accountability: “Justice must be ensured, and the present Maharashtra government must order a thorough and transparent investigation. The culprits must be brought to book at the earliest. Accountability is paramount.”
