The Political Fallout and Investigation into a Murder that Shook Maharashtra
Baba Siddique’s Political Journey
Baba Siddique, a towering figure in Maharashtra’s political landscape, had a career marked by both service and controversy. Starting his journey with the Congress party, Siddique became a three-time MLA and a respected leader in the state. His political career saw him rubbing shoulders with influential politicians, Bollywood stars, and the general public, earning him a reputation as a well-connected and charismatic leader. Known for his famed Iftar parties attended by Bollywood A-listers like Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, Siddique was as much a social figure as he was a political one. In February 2024, Siddique made a significant political shift by joining Ajit Pawar’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), months before the Maharashtra Assembly elections. However, his life came to a tragic end in October 2024, in a shocking murder that has sent ripples across the state.
A Bold Attack: The Assassination of Baba Siddique
On a fateful Saturday night in Mumbai, Baba Siddique was shot dead by three assailants outside his son’s office in Bandra. The incident, which occurred around 9:30 PM amidst Dussehra celebrations, shocked Maharashtra’s political and social circles. Hundreds gathered to bid farewell to the 66-year-old former minister at his funeral, held at Bada Kabrastan in Marine Lines, Mumbai. His death drew widespread attention, with senior politicians, police officers, and Bollywood celebrities attending the last rites.
As investigations began, it was revealed that the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, operating from behind bars, had orchestrated Siddique’s murder. Siddique sustained two fatal gunshot wounds to his chest and was rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where doctors declared him dead at 11:27 PM after failing to revive him. The cold-blooded nature of the attack has raised serious concerns about security and law enforcement in the state.
The Plot Hatched in Patiala Jail: A Chilling Plan
As the Mumbai Police delve deeper into the investigation, chilling details about the murder plot have emerged. It has come to light that the assassination of Baba Siddique was planned in Patiala Jail by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The mastermind, Lawrence Bishnoi, is currently imprisoned, yet managed to orchestrate the entire crime from behind bars.
The plan reportedly began when 21-year-old Mohammed Zeeshan Akhtar, a known associate of the Bishnoi gang, was arrested in 2022 on charges of organized crime, murder, and robbery. During his time in Patiala Jail, he was handed the contract to kill Siddique. After his release in June 2024, Akhtar began putting the deadly plan into action, recruiting three individuals to carry out the attack: Gurmail Singh, Dharmaraj Kashyap, and Shiv Kumar. The guns used in the murder were sent to the shooters through a prepaid courier service, and they were paid Rs 50,000 to execute the assassination.
The killers were reportedly equipped with pepper spray, which they planned to use on Siddique before shooting him, though they did not need to resort to that tactic. As Siddique left his son’s office that evening, the shooters opened fire, killing him in a brutal attack that was carefully plotted and executed.
The Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
Following the murder, two of the shooters, Gurmail Baljit Singh (23) from Haryana and Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap (19) from Uttar Pradesh, were arrested by the Mumbai Police. Another suspect, 28-year-old Pravin Lonkar from Pune, was also taken into custody, believed to be a co-conspirator in the crime. Police are still searching for Pravin’s brother, Shubham Lonkar, who is also suspected to be involved in the assassination plot.
Authorities have pointed out that the shooters were linked to threats made against Bollywood star Salman Khan, further underscoring the dangerous nexus between organized crime and high-profile personalities in Mumbai. The investigation remains active, with 15 police teams set up to track down the remaining suspects and uncover the full extent of the plot. The use of prepaid couriers and pepper spray suggests a well-planned attack with multiple layers of logistics support, which the police are now unraveling.
Political Fallout: Maharashtra’s Law and Order Crisis
Baba Siddique’s assassination has not only stunned Maharashtra but also ignited a fierce political debate. The Congress party, along with Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena faction and Sharad Pawar’s NCP, has strongly criticized the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government, accusing it of failing to maintain law and order in the state. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed his shock at the murder, stating that the incident reflected a “complete collapse of law and order in Maharashtra.” He further called for accountability from Chief Minister Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding that they take responsibility and resign.
Sharad Pawar, a veteran politician and leader of the NCP, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation and calling for the government to take responsibility for the breakdown in security. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar urged that Siddique’s murder not be politicized, assuring that the government is committed to bringing the culprits to justice.
A Murder that Shakes the State
The assassination of Baba Siddique has cast a long shadow over Maharashtra’s political landscape. The intricate planning, the involvement of an organized crime syndicate, and the political ramifications of this tragic event highlight the dangerous intersection of crime and politics in the state. As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the state government will address the security concerns raised by this audacious attack. Baba Siddique’s murder is not just a loss for his family and political allies, but a wake-up call for the entire state.
(With inputs from agencies)
