News EditorBaba Siddique, a prominent Indian politician, was shot dead in Mumbai, the country’s commercial capital. The 66-year-old was attacked by gunmen near his son’s office, who is also involved in politics, according to local reports.
Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder, while police are searching for a third. The motive remains unclear, but some reports suggest the attackers were linked to a gang led by notorious criminal Lawrence Bishnoi, currently imprisoned for involvement in several high-profile killings, including that of rapper Sidhu Moose Wala in 2022.
Siddique, a former state minister and a key political figure in Maharashtra, had recently switched from Congress, India’s main opposition party, to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which is part of the state’s ruling coalition. Maharashtra is set to hold legislative elections next month.
Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar, expressed shock at the “cowardly attack,” while opposition parties criticized the government for a security lapse, especially given that the shooting occurred during heightened security for a major Hindu festival.
Siddique, known for his connections to Bollywood and hosting lavish events, had received death threats in recent weeks, leading to an upgrade in his security detail. The state government has promised a full investigation into the killing.
