'Bullets hit me, I won't survive...I'll die': Siddique's last words
What's the story
Former Maharashtra minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique was gunned down outside his son's office in Bandra, Mumbai on October 12. The attack was executed by three heavily armed assailants, who had been following Siddique's movements for months. After being shot twice in the chest, Siddique reportedly said, "Bullets hit me, I won't survive. I will die."
Plot details
Assassination plot and security lapses revealed
The assailants, Gurmel Baljit Singh, Dharmaraj Kashyap, and Shivkumar Gautam from Uttar Pradesh, had rented a room in Kurla to execute their plan. They intended to use a Dussehra procession and fireworks as a cover for the attack. Despite being under Y-category security protection, Siddique was exposed due to lapses in security, reports said. When the shooting happened, only one police guard was with him who was incapacitated by the attackers using pepper spray.
Investigation progress
Arrests made, investigation continues
Two of the shooters, Singh and Kashyap, were arrested soon after the attack while Gautam is still at large. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is confident that Gautam will be arrested soon. The police recovered two Glock automatic pistols and 28 live rounds from the suspects. The shooters claimed they were contracted to kill both Siddique and his son Zeeshan, receiving ₹50,000 each upfront for the hit.
Political career
Siddique's political journey and gangster connection
Siddique started his political career from scratch in South Mumbai, joining the National Students Union of India (NSUI) in 1977. He later became the president of the Mumbai Youth Congress in 1988 and served as an MLA from Bandra West assembly constituency for three terms since 1999. The involvement of Lawrence Bishnoi's gang in Siddique's murder has raised concerns due to their criminal connections and past activities, including an incident involving Bollywood actor Salman Khan.