Baba Siddique News Live Highlights: State funeral accorded to late NCP leader

His mortal remains were being taken for last rites which will be performed with full state honour at Bada Qabrastan, in Mumbai lines.

"Yesterday, between 9-9.30 pm, ex-state minister Baba Siddique was shot outside his sons' office, under Nirmal Nagar police station. An offence has been registered and the investigation has been handed over to the Crime Branch. Two accused were detained on the spot... Two pistols and 28 rounds have been recovered... We have the custody of the accused till October 21. We are investigating the Lawrence Bishnoi gang's role in the case," they said.

"Mumbai Crime Branch recovered two pistols from both the accused. The accused had brought pepper spray, first, the accused were about to spray and then they were about to fire but the third accused Shiv Kumar Gautam started firing directly. Three constables were with Baba Siddiqui and at the time of the incident also three constables were there but they could not do anything. One more person has been injured in this firing," he added.

"We are heartbroken, struggling to grasp the cruelty of this incident. This is not just a political loss, it's a deeply personal tragedy that has shaken us all," he said.

"I strongly urge everyone to resist the temptation to politicise this horrifying event. This is not the time for division or for exploiting the pain of others for political advantage. Right now, our focus must be on ensuring that justice is served," he added.

"We honour the immense grief of Baba Siddique's family, who have suffered the greatest loss. Let us show respect and compassion rather than allowing opportunistic voices to turn this tragedy into a political spectacle," he said.

"Baba Siddique didn't had a categorised security but he was given 3 security personnel from Mumbai police. At the time of the incident, one of our security personnel was there with him. We are investigating all angles to this case including Salman Khan and Lawrence Bishnoi's angles," Police said.

"Mumbai Crime Branch recovered two pistols from both the accused. The accused had brought pepper spray, first, the accused were about to spray and then they were about to fire but the third accused Shiv Kumar Gautam started firing directly. Three constables were with Baba Siddiqui and at the time of the incident also three constables were there but they could not do anything. One more person has been injured in this firing," he added.

This came after a social media post claiming to be from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang took responsibility for the murder of Maharashtra MLA Baba Siddique. "Salman Khan, we did not want this war, but you harmed our brother. Baba Siddique’s chapter has closed today, or he was once under the MCOCA Act with Dawood. The reason for his death is Anuj Thapan and Dawood, who were to be linked with Bollywood, politics, and property dealings. We have no enmity with anyone, but whoever helps Salman Khan and the Dawood gang will have to settle their accounts," the post said.

Salman Khan paid tribute to his close friend Baba Siddique at the late NCP leader's home in Bandra on Sunday. Siddique, 66, was shot outside his MLA son Zeeshan Siddique's office on Saturday night and later pronounced dead at Lilavati Hospital.

Accompanied by his bodyguard Shera, Salman was seen leaving Siddique's residence in the Maqba Heights apartments on Sunday evening. The 58-year-old actor navigated through a crowd, escorted by Shera and several police officials, as he made his way to a waiting black car.

Salman was among the first film celebrities to visit the hospital on Saturday night to support Siddique's family. Other family members, including Sohail Khan, Sshura Khan, Arpita Khan Sharma, and Alvira Agnihotri, along with friend Iulia Vantur, were also spotted heading to Siddique's home later that evening.

The Congress demanded a thorough investigation into the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, calling for Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take moral responsibility for the law and order failure and resign. The 66-year-old Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister, was ambushed and shot dead by three men at Kher Nagar in Bandra, just outside his MLA son Zeeshan Siddique's office on Saturday night.

The Congress criticized the Mahayuti government for failing to protect its own leaders and for leaving the people of Mumbai feeling unsafe.

"The tragic demise of Baba Siddique ji is shocking and saddening. My thoughts are with his family in this difficult time. This horrifying incident exposes the complete collapse of law and order in Maharashtra. The government must take responsibility, and justice must prevail," Rahul Gandhi said on X.

This came after disagreements over the age of Kashayap. According to Aadhaar, Kashayap's age was 19, the prosecutor told the court. However, the accused said that his age was 17.

The ossification test is a medical procedure used to assess the maturity of bones, primarily to estimate a person's age. It involves examining X-ray images of bones, particularly those in the hands and wrists, to observe the development and fusion of growth plates.

The name of the fourth accused is Mohammad Zeeshan Akhtar, the police said.

Meanwhile, Gurmail Baljit Singh, a Haryana resident accused of being one of the shooters in the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, has a criminal background, including a previous murder case, according to police. His family disowned him 11 years ago and is now calling for severe punishment for his actions.

Mumbai Police have arrested two alleged assailants: Singh from Haryana and Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap from Uttar Pradesh. The third suspect, Shiv Kumar, is still at large, and efforts to locate him are ongoing.

The trio faces charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including murder, as well as the Arms Act and the Maharashtra Police Act.

"This is a very unfortunate situation. Baba Siddique was not just a (former) minister; he was a beloved figure in Mumbai. The (Maharashtra) government had provided him with security after he reported that he was receiving death threats. If the government cannot protect such a person, just think about the condition of the common people. This government has completely failed. The 'Mahayuti' government is only doing loot and corruption. We demand that this government should be dismissed immediately," he said.

Villagers from Sheikhpurdil, Bihar, the hometown of NCP leader and former Maharashtra Minister Baba Siddique, mourned his passing and raised concerns about the law and order situation in Maharashtra. After spending 35 years with Congress, Siddique joined the NCP eight months ago.

Despite living in Mumbai, Siddique regularly visited Gopalganj and operated 40 institutions under the Abdur Rahim Trust, named after his father. The villagers noted his commitment to social work and support for the community.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Siddique visited Gopalganj to distribute relief supplies, including sanitizers, masks, and PPE kits.

The Mumbai crime branch has seized 28 live cartridges from the accused, who may be linked to an international gang. Police are seeking 14 days of custody for further investigation.

"With Immense Grief, We inform you that Our Beloved *Shri. Baba Siddique*, Father of MLA *Shri. Zeeshan Baba Siddique* & *Dr. Arshia Siddique* & Husband of *Mrs. Shehzeen Siddique* has left for his Heavenly Abode," said Baba Siddique's son Zeeshan Siddique.

He further provided the details of the funeral: "Namaz E Janaza - Today *13th October, Sunday at 7 pm* after Magrib Namaz at Maqba Heights, 15 A, Pali Road, Pali Naka, Bandra(W). Burial - Today *13th October,Sunday at 8:30 pm* at Bada Kabarastan, Opp Marine Lines Station."

"He went to Pune to work in a scrapyard. I knew only this.. I was not aware of what he was doing in Mumbai. He had come home in Holi, and after that he did not come. He was not even taking to me on calls so I cannot say anything about the incident. He is around 18 to 19 years. He had just sent Rs 3,000 to me when my daughter was sick," said 23-year-old Gurmail Singh's mother.

Gurmail Singh (23) and Dharamraj Kashyap, the two shooters arrested in the Baba Siddiqui's murder case, have been produced before the Esplanade court. Crime branch personnel are also present in the court room.

Kashyap, however, told the court that he is 17. Public prosecutor said as per Aadhar card his age is 19.

"Deeply shocked and saddened by the brutal murder of Baba Siddique. Such acts of violence have no place in civil society and deserve the strongest condemnation," he said.

"My heartfelt condolences to his family and party colleagues," he added.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh says, "Whenever there is BJP in power there is crimes, loot, murder and dacoity. Gang wars happen every day in Delhi, the national capital...the same situations are now there in Mumbai. Baba Siddique who had Y-category security and was part of the govt, I think it's a tight slap on the Shinde govt and the people of Maharashtra will teach a lesson to the BJP and the Maharashtra govt... The name of Bishnoi is also coming into this incident."

"There are serious questions about the state's law and order situation. The common people of Mumbai are scared, and there is fear in the minds of the people of Maharashtra that such a high-profile individual, who had government-provided security, could be killed in broad daylight. This is a total collapse of law and order. We demand a committee should be formed to investigate this matter. If the Maharashtra government cannot ensure the safety of their own leaders, how can they protect the general public?"

Accused in Baba Siddique murder case, identified as Gurmail Singh and Dharamraj Kashyap brought to a Hospital for medical examination before they are produced in Esplanade Court in Mumbai.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray says, " Whether it is the arrest of accused in Baba Siddique's murder or encounter of Akshay Shinde (rape accused). Suspicions are being raised on every act of this govt and this is not a good thing. We are not sure who are these arrested accused. They (Maharashtra govt) are keeping tabs on our movements but are not watching the criminals"

Following the shooting death of NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique near his son's office in Mumbai's Bandra on Saturday, a political clash has erupted between the BJP and opposition parties.

While the BJP-led Maharashtra government has urged against 'politicising' the incident, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, criticized the ruling administration, calling it a "collapse of law and order in Maharashtra.'

The connections to the Baba Siddique murder case in Mumbai are said to be linked to Haryana's Kaithal. According to information, the accused, Gurmel, hails from the village of Narar in Kaithal district, which comes under Titram Police Station.

He was imprisoned in Kaithal jail for a murder case in 2019, and after being released on bail, he moved to Mumbai, where he developed connections with the associates of Lawrence Bishnoi.

It is also reported that he made contact with Lawrence Bishnoi's associates while in Kaithal jail.

Security has been tightened outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan's residence following the fatal shooting of former minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique on Saturday evening. Visuals showed security personnel stationed outside Khan's Galaxy Apartment.

Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister and leader in Ajit Pawar's faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was shot near Nirmal Nagar in Bandra. He succumbed to his injuries later that night at Lilavati Hospital.

Salman Khan visited Lilavati Hospital late on Saturday to offer his condolences to Siddique's family. The incident follows months after a previous security scare involving the actor.

He played peacemaker between one-time warring superstars Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan at what was one of the most viral moments of 2013 before the social media rage kicked in and was a protege, even a second son, to cinema veteran Sunil Dutt.

NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, who was shot dead on Saturday night, epitomised the symbiotic relationship between politics and the Hindi film industry.

His grand iftar parties were a starry affair attended by right from the Khans to filmmaker Kabir Khan, celebrity designer Manish Malhotra, and actors Urmila Matondkar, Katrina Kaif, Huma Qureshi, Sonu Sood, Sushant Singh Rajput, Ankita Lokhande, Kiara Advani, R Madhavan, and Aditi Rao Hydari.

Dutt's daughter and Congress leader Priya Dutt said she is "shocked" by Siddique's death.

"Baba was more than a political associate; he was family. To my father, Baba Siddique was like a son, and to me, he was a brother and a dear friend," she wrote in an X post.

Siddique, a popular figure in Bollywood circles who earned praise for supplying life-saving medicines to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, was waylaid by three men at Kher Nagar in Mumbai's Bandra area just outside his MLA son Zeeshan Siddique's office and shot at on Saturday night.

He was taken to the Lilavati Hospital where he was declared dead.

RJD MP Manoj Jha says, "The way he has been murdered in daylight, it is a certificate to the Maharashtra govt. If it can happen to Baba Siddique, what will happen to the common people?... What happened to the complaint that he had made earlier regarding the threat?..."

Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar announced on Sunday that five teams have been dispatched to various states to investigate the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique. He stated that the details of who was behind the incident would be revealed within 2-3 days.

Pawar visited Cooper Hospital, where Baba Siddique's body was shifted for a post-mortem, and met with his son, Zeeshan Siddique. Speaking to the media, he expressed disbelief over the incident. "I cannot believe what happened yesterday in Mumbai. Baba Siddique was one of our leaders, a three-time MLA, and had served as a minister. The police acted swiftly, and two arrests have already been made. Five teams are now working across different states to uncover who ordered the murder and who is behind this."

Pawar also mentioned that Siddique's funeral, with full state honors, will be held at 8:30 PM at Bada Qabrastan in Mumbai. He added that chief minister Eknath Shinde has assured a thorough investigation into the case.

RJD leader and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday expressed shock over the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique in Mumbai, highlighting the "crumbling" law and order situation in Maharashtra. Siddique, 66, was attacked by three men outside his son Zeeshan Siddique's office in Kher Nagar, Bandra, on Saturday night and later declared dead at the hospital.

"The incident is both shocking and saddening. I knew him personally, as he was originally from Gopalganj, Bihar. If such a crime can happen in a city like Mumbai, especially in Bandra, it shows that no one is safe," Yadav said. "This reflects the deteriorating law and order in the state. My thoughts are with his family during this difficult time," he added.

Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar visited Cooper Hospital on Sunday, where the body of Baba Siddique was taken for post-mortem.

While speaking to reporters, Ajit Pawar said, "I cannot believe the incident which occurred yesterday in Mumbai. He was one of our leaders and has worked for years in Mumbai. He was also in Congress and was a three-time MLA. He worked as a minister as well.The police department started its investigation very soon.

"Two people have been arrested. Five teams have been formed and sent to different states. The CM, home minister, and I are monitoring the situation. Who gave the contract (for murder) and who is behind all this, I believe it will be known in 2-3 days," he added.

The three accused in the murder of Baba Siddique received their weapons just days before the shooting and were paid Rs 50,000, according to TV reports.

The police have seized the weapon. The shooters had been staying in a rented house in Kurla for the past 25-30 days, paying Rs 14,000 per month.

The accused surveyed the shooting location as well as Siddique's home and office well in advance, according to Mumbai police.

"It shows the worsening law order situation which is prevailing in Maharashtra. It also points to many other things that such murders can easily happen and they (culprits) can escape... This Siddique's case shows a failed law and order situation in Maharashtra."

Delhi police will send a special investigation team to Mumbai to investigate the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddiqui in Mumbai, according to the Delhi Police Special Cell sources.

It is believed that a suspected gangster's motive behind the murder of Baba Siddiqui was to establish his influence in Mumbai, the sources added.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Crime Branch has registered a case at Nirmal Nagar Police Station in connection with the murder under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Arms Act and Maharashtra Police Act.

Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde announced a state funeral for former minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique, who was shot dead outside his son's office in Mumbai's Bandra on Saturday.

Siddique served as the minister of state for various departments between 2004 and 2008 and also held the position of President of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA).

The murder of NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique is believed to be a premeditated act, according to a Mumbai police official on Sunday. The crime branch is investigating the case from various angles, including the possibility of contract killing, business rivalry, or threats related to a slum rehabilitation project.

While two alleged assailants have been apprehended, another suspect remains at large, and efforts are ongoing to locate him, police reported.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Gurmail Baljit Singh, 23, from Haryana, and Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap, 19, from Uttar Pradesh. A case has been registered against all three suspects under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including murder, as well as provisions of the Arms Act and the Maharashtra Police Act.

Former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique was shot dead in Mumbai on the evening of Dussehra, Saturday. The incident occurred mere hours after he had shared a message of goodwill on social media, expressing his hopes for the festival.

Earlier on Saturday, at 11am, Baba Siddique had taken to the platform X to convey his wishes, stating, "Happy Dussehra".

Following the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique (Ajit Pawar Faction), security has been increased outside the Galaxy Apartments, the residence of actor Salman Khan.

Police are currently investigating whether the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was behind the killing, given Siddique's close ties to Khan, who has previously been targeted by the gang.

On April 14, two men on a motorcycle opened fire outside Salman Khan's residence in Mumbai's Bandra.

The Mumbai Police claim that the shooters were hired by Lawrence Bishnoi's gang, which allegedly conspired to kill the actor.

A day after Maharashtra former minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Baba Siddique was shot dead in Mumbai, Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari on Sunday that no one can escape the law in Maharashtra, asserting that the NDA government has caught two accused within 24 hours.

Terming the incident as "tragic", the BJP leader said politics should not be done on this.

"The Maharashtra government of Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar's NDA government have caught two accused within 24 hours. The search for one accused is underway and he will also be caught soon," said Bhandari.

"Baba Siddique was a respected leader across parties... It saddened me when I heard about it. It shows that the law & order situation has been completely deteriorated in Maharashtra. 15 days back he said that he was receiving threats, Y category security was provided to him but despite that, this intelligence failure occurred... Someone is saying that Lawrence Bishnoi gang, and other gangs, what has happened to our intelligence agencies? What has happened to the Mumbai Police and Mumbai which is acknowledged in the entire world for its law & order? You have brought Maharashtra to a place where there is just loot and no law & order and justice system."

Senior officers from the Mumbai Crime Branch are currently interrogating the two arrested suspects in the murder case of NCP leader Baba Siddique.

The suspects, identified as Gurmel Singh and Dharamraj Kashyap, both in their 20s, are from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, respectively. They were reportedly paid in advance for their involvement in the crime and had received a delivery of firearms a few days prior.Mumbai police stated that the suspects have been questioned for the last eight hours.

Rashtriya Lok Dal leader, Malook Nagar says, "It is a very unfortunate incident...it is our financial capital...it is a big incident but I have full confidence, govt is sensible, probe will be conducted and everything will come out and strict punishment will be given (to culprits)...it is the duty of both party in power and opposition to stand united when such a big incident happens..."