Mumbai: Ajit-Pawar-led NCP leader Baba Siddiqui, a three-term former MLA, was shot dead by several unidentified attackers in the suburban Bandra area here on Saturday evening.
He had sustained two gunshot wounds to his chest before being brought to Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital for emergency treatment. He was admitted around 9.30 pm on Saturday and, despite extensive resuscitative efforts, succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
Dr Jalil Parkar, a physician at Lilavati Hospital, said, "Around 9.30 pm, Baba Siddique was brought here. When he arrived in the emergency room, his pulse and blood pressure were unrecordable, and the ECG showed a flat line. We shifted him to the ICU." "He was declared dead around 11.27 pm. He had bullet wounds on his chest," Dr Parkar added. Dr Nitin Gokhale, a cardiologist at the hospital, said that the exact number of bullets would be confirmed following a postmortem examination.
"Baba Siddique was brought in with no pulse or blood pressure. He had two gunshot wounds to his chest. We initiated emergency resuscitation measures and shifted him to the ICU. He was declared dead at 11:27 PM. The total number of bullets will be confirmed after the postmortem," Dr Gokhale told reporters.
Dr Niraj Uttamani of Lilavati Hospital detailed the severity of Siddique's condition upon arrival, and said, "He was brought to the emergency medical services in an unresponsive state, with no pulse, no cardiac activity, and no blood pressure, with a history of gunshot wounds. He had lost a lot of blood, and resuscitation was initiated immediately. He was then moved to the ICU, where further revival attempts were made." "Despite all efforts, we were unable to revive him, and he was declared dead at 11.27 pm," he added.
Siddique was shot dead by unidentified attackers in Mumbai on Saturday evening. The three-time MLA from Bandra West and had joined Ajit Pawar's faction of the NCP earlier this year after resigning from the Congress.
Mumbai police have arrested two suspects in connection with the killing of NCP leader. "The incident occurred around 9:30 pm in Nirmal Nagar. Baba Siddique was taken to Lilavati Hospital after being shot. Two suspects have been arrested, and the Mumbai Crime Branch is investigating the case," Additional CP Paramjit Singh Dahiya told reporters. Police have also recovered a 9.9mm pistol used in the crime.
Congress blames govt for 'crumbling' law and order
The Congress on Saturday said the killing of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique is a serious indictment of the "crumbling" law and order situation in Maharashtra and demanded a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident.
Former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique was shot dead by three men in Mumbai's Bandra area on Saturday. Two of the assailants have been arrested, according to officials.
The shocking incident prompted the opposition to question the law and order situation in the state, where assembly elections are expected to be held next month.
In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the tragic demise of Siddique is shocking beyond words.
"In this hour of grief, I offer my deepest condolences to his family, friends and supporters," he said.
"Justice must be ensured, and the present Maharashtra Govt must order a thorough and transparent investigation. The culprits must be brought to book at the earliest. Accountability is paramount," Kharge said.
Congress general secretary in-charge organisation K C Venugopal said, "Shocked, stunned and outraged at the killing of Baba Siddique ji. Siddique ji served the people diligently and worked hard to preserve communal harmony. His passing away is a massive loss to the people of Mumbai and Maharashtra."
This incident is a serious indictment of the crumbling law and order situation in Maharashtra, Venugopal said on X. Siddique had on multiple occasions intimated the authorities about the threat to his life and he suffered despite being under Y-plus security, he said.
"That this shooting took place on the road, in the middle of bustling markets, shows that criminals no longer fear the law in Maharashtra. Even leaders of the ruling alliance are not safe in the heart of its capital any more. The ruling regime must answer - when senior public figures aren't safe, how will the ordinary citizen feel safe today?" Venugopal said.
Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said on X, "Shocked beyond words to hear about the murder of Baba Siddique. I had first met him in 1999, with Shri Sunil Dutt. His going away is a personal loss."
He was attacked outside his MLA son Zeeshan Siddique's office near Colgate ground in Nirmal Nagar, Bandra East, police said. Siddique had represented Bandra (West) seat three times in the assembly. (With agency inputs)
