MLA Zeeshan Siddique demands justice for father's murder: 'My family deserves justice'
PTC News Desk: In his first public statement since the murder of his father, former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, Bandra East MLA Zeeshan Siddique expressed his family’s grief and their demand for justice. Baba Siddique was shot dead on October 13 outside Zeeshan’s Bandra East office. In a heartfelt post on social media platform X, Zeeshan called for justice, urging that his father’s death should not be used for political gain or treated lightly.
Zeeshan Siddique shared his sentiments on Thursday, stating: "My father lost his life protecting and saving the lives and homes of poor innocent people. Today, my family is broken, but his death must not be politicised and definitely not go in vain. I NEED JUSTICE, MY FAMILY NEEDS JUSTICE!"
The assassination of Baba Siddique, 66, occurred on Dussehra night, at approximately 9:30 pm. According to police reports, three assailants fired six bullets at Siddique, four of which struck him. Another bullet hit one of his aides in the leg. Siddique was immediately rushed to Lilavati Hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Following the attack, authorities quickly arrested two of the shooters: Gurmail Baljit Singh from Haryana and Dharamraj Kashyap from Uttar Pradesh. A third suspect, Shiv Kumar Gautam, also from Uttar Pradesh, remains at large.
One of the arrested shooters, Dharamraj Kashyap, claimed in court that he was only 17 years old, though his Aadhar card listed his age as 19. To resolve the discrepancy, the court ordered a bone ossification test, which later confirmed that he was not a minor.
The suspects have reportedly claimed to be associated with the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Lawrence Bishnoi, currently held in Gujarat’s Sabarmati jail, is believed to have orchestrated the murder. On Sunday, a Facebook post allegedly made by Shubham Rameshwar Lonkar, an associate of Bishnoi, took responsibility for the killing. The post was later traced to Lonkar's brother, Pravin, who was arrested in Pune.
Authorities made further progress in the investigation on Tuesday by arresting Harishkumar Balakram, a 23-year-old scrap dealer from Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, who is believed to have been involved in the conspiracy. However, the alleged handler of the three shooters, Mohammad Zeeshan Akhtar, remains at large.
Also Read: Chargesheet reveals Rs 25 lakh contract for Salman Khan hit linked to AK-47 smuggling from Pakistan
Baba Siddique was a veteran politician who had served three terms as the MLA for Bandra West. He had been a member of the Congress party for 48 years before switching to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) under Ajit Pawar’s leadership in February. His son, Zeeshan Siddique, was expelled from Congress in August.
The timing of Baba Siddique's murder, which comes just ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, has added a political dimension to the tragedy. The opposition has criticized the Eknath Shinde-led coalition government (BJP-NCP-Shiv Sena) over the state’s deteriorating law and order situation.
Veteran leader and NCP President Sharad Pawar called for accountability from the ruling government, expressing his concerns on X. "It is sad that former state minister Baba Siddique was shot dead in Mumbai. The deteriorating law and order situation in the state is a matter of concern. The rulers must accept responsibility and step down from their posts. My heartfelt tribute to Baba Siddique and condolences to his family."
Pawar's criticism underscores growing concerns about public safety in Maharashtra, particularly in Mumbai, the country's financial hub. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, responding to the outrage, emphasized that law and order had worsened under the previous opposition coalition, Maha Vikas Aghadi. He assured the public that those responsible for the assassination of Baba Siddique would face justice.
Also Read: Bomb threat reported on Air India Mumbai-London flight just an hour before landing
- With inputs from agencies
