The last rites of former Maharashtra minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique were performed with full state honours on Sunday at the Bada Qabrastan in Mumbai. The city was shaken by the brutal murder of Siddique, who was shot by three bike-borne assailants in Bandra East on Saturday.
A video circulating on social media captured emotional scenes from the funeral, with Zeeshan Siddique, Baba Siddique?s son and MLA from Bandra East, weeping uncontrollably beside his father?s mortal remains. The heart-wrenching moment struck a chord with many mourners who gathered to pay their respects. Zeeshan, deeply grieved by the tragic loss, was seen receiving support from family, friends, and political allies.
Several prominent NCP leaders, including Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, and Ajit Pawar, attended the funeral to offer their condolences. A large crowd of supporters braved the heavy Mumbai rains to be part of the funeral procession, showcasing the impact Siddique had on the community and the deep respect he commanded.
Baba Siddique was gunned down outside his office in Nirmal Nagar on Saturday night. According to police reports, he sustained two gunshot wounds to his chest. He was rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where doctors made extensive efforts to save his life. Dr. Jalil Parkar of Lilavati Hospital said Siddique was admitted around 9:30 pm but was unresponsive upon arrival. "His pulse and blood pressure were unrecordable, and the ECG showed no heart activity," Dr. Parkar confirmed. Tragically, Siddique was pronounced dead shortly after being moved to the ICU.
The murder has sent shockwaves through both political circles and Bollywood, with many expressing their grief and outrage over the senseless killing of the NCP leader. Messages of condolences poured in from across the political spectrum as well as from Bollywood stars, with many calling for swift justice.
In a significant breakthrough in the investigation, the Mumbai police have arrested Pravin Lonkar, one of the prime suspects in the case. Lonkar is believed to be the mastermind behind the murder and is said to have recruited two others, Dharmaraj Kashyap and Shivkumar Gautam, in the plot to kill Siddique. The motive behind the murder is still under investigation.
Additionally, the Esplanade court in Mumbai has placed another accused, Gurmail Singh, in the custody of the Mumbai Crime Branch until October 21. The court also ordered an ossification test to determine the age of a second accused individual involved in the case.
As the investigation continues, the people of Mumbai and Maharashtra await answers regarding the motive behind the murder of a respected leader like Baba Siddique. His untimely death has left a void in the political landscape and the hearts of many who admired his work and leadership.
