The assassination of Baba Siddique, a prominent figure in Mumbai’s political landscape and a member of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has sent shockwaves through the city, prompting a swift and intense investigation by the Mumbai Police. Baba Siddique, aged 66, was gunned down in a calculated attack near his son’s office in Bandra East, a move that not only claimed a life but also raised significant concerns over the city’s law and order situation, especially with state elections looming.
The Mumbai Police have made considerable progress in the case, arresting two of the three suspected killers. Identified as Gurmail Baljit Singh from Haryana and Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap from Uttar Pradesh, these young men have admitted to their involvement in the murder. The third suspect remains at large, intensifying the police’s manhunt across several states.
The involvement of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang in this high-profile murder has been a focal point of the investigation. While the gang has not officially claimed responsibility, the arrested suspects have connections to this notorious criminal network, known for its audacity and reach beyond the confines of Punjab. The Bishnoi gang’s alleged motive, as speculated by police and sources, might be linked to their ongoing feud with Bollywood star Salman Khan, with whom Siddique shared a close relationship. This angle suggests that Siddique’s murder could be a message or a warning to Khan, who has been a target of the gang for years due to a past incident involving the hunting of a blackbuck, an animal revered by the Bishnoi community.
Mumbai Police’s investigation has revealed that the attack was meticulously planned. The assailants had been conducting reconnaissance in the area for nearly a month, indicating a premeditated act rather than a spur-of-the-moment crime. The weapons used were delivered to them days before the incident, and they were paid in advance, pointing towards a contract killing. This level of organization suggests that the mastermind behind the operation might still be at large, orchestrating from a distance.
The political ramifications of Siddique’s murder are significant, especially with the state elections on the horizon. Opposition parties have seized the opportunity to criticize the ruling government’s handling of law and order, using the incident as evidence of a deteriorating security situation in Maharashtra. This has led to a political slugfest, with demands for a high-level probe into the killing, reflecting not just on the security but also on the broader implications for political stability and public safety.
The Mumbai Police, under scrutiny, have ramped up their efforts, with multiple teams dispatched across states to apprehend the third suspect and uncover the entire network behind this assassination. The investigation is also looking into other motives, including a property dispute which might have played a role, though the Bishnoi gang’s involvement remains the most discussed angle.
As the investigation unfolds, the murder of Baba Siddique serves as a grim reminder of the undercurrents of crime that can still shake the foundations of one of India’s most vibrant cities. The police’s determination to bring all culprits to justice is not just about solving a case but about restoring faith in the city’s ability to protect its citizens, especially those in the public eye. The saga continues, with every lead bringing Mumbai closer to understanding the full scope of this tragedy and the forces that orchestrated it.
