World
Indian ex-minister shot dead in Mumbai
In a shocking political assassination, Baba Siddique, a senior politician and former minister in Maharashtra state, was gunned down in Mumbai on Saturday, just weeks ahead of critical state elections. The 66-year-old lawmaker was shot multiple times outside his son’s office, sparking a wave of shock and outrage across the state. Police are investigating the involvement of a notorious crime syndicate in the killing, with two suspects already in custody.
According to reports, the suspects have claimed ties to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a feared criminal organization linked to numerous high-profile killings. Bishnoi is currently behind bars, but his gang’s influence remains strong. Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar, expressed his shock over the brazen attack, calling it a “cowardly act” and vowing that authorities would track down the mastermind behind the assassination.
The murder occurred just weeks after Siddique’s security had been upgraded following death threats. With elections fast approaching, the killing has raised concerns about political violence and gang-related crime infiltrating the political sphere. The police have launched an intense manhunt to apprehend the third suspect still at large.
Siddique, who was well-known in Mumbai’s political and social circles, had close ties to Bollywood stars and was famous for his lavish parties. His killing draws unsettling parallels to the murder of another high-profile politician, Atiq Ahmad, who was shot dead on live TV in Uttar Pradesh in 2023. Both incidents have highlighted the dangerous intersection of crime and politics in India.