Sun Oct 13 04:02:10 UTC 2024: ## Former Maharashtra Minister Baba Siddique Shot Dead in Mumbai
**MUMBAI:** Baba Ziauddin Siddique, a former Maharashtra cabinet minister and three-term MLA from Bandra (West), was shot dead in Mumbai on Saturday night. The 65-year-old politician was waylaid by three men near his son’s office in Kher Nagar around 9:30 pm and shot at. He was rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where he was declared dead.
Police have recovered six empty bullet shells from the scene and arrested two suspects from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. The third accused is still at large.
Siddique’s son, Zeeshan Siddique, is the current Congress MLA from Bandra (East). The family had received threats against the politician’s life 15 days prior to the incident, leading to increased security measures.
The killing has sent shockwaves through Mumbai’s political and film circles. Known for his extensive political connections across party lines, Siddique was particularly close to Bollywood stars like Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan. He was also a prominent figure in the city’s real estate industry, recently opposing the redevelopment of slum areas in Bandra East.
Police are investigating several angles, including a potential link to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, who have previously threatened actor Salman Khan. Earlier this year, six members of the Bishnoi gang were arrested for firing at Khan’s home in Bandra.
The investigation will be headed by former encounter specialist Daya Nayak of the Mumbai Crime Branch, who is also overseeing the investigation into the shooting at Salman Khan’s house.
This is the second murder of an NCP leader in Mumbai within a week. Last Saturday, Sachin Kurmi, a Byculla division leader of the party, was stabbed to death in Byculla.
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