‘His Death Must Not Be Politicised’: In First Reaction, Baba Siddique’s Son Zeeshan Calls For Justice – News18

Congress MLA Zeeshan Siddique on Thursday reacted for the first time on his father, Baba Siddique’s assassination saying that the latter sacrificed his life while protecting homes of poor innocent people.

Zeeshan further said that Baba’s death shouldn’t be politicised and wouldn’t go in vain.

“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!” he said in a post on X.

Baba Siddique, former Maharashtra minister and a three-time MLA, was shot at by three men outside his MLA son’s office in Mumbai’s Bandra on Saturday evening. He was rushed to the Lilavati Hospital where he was declared dead.

The Mumbai Police have so far arrested four persons, including Haryana resident Gurmail Baljit Singh (23), Uttar Pradesh native Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap (19), both alleged shooters; Harishkumar Balakram Nisad (23), and “co-conspirator” Pravin Lonkar, who hails from Pune. Nisad and Kashyap belong to the same village as the wanted accused Shivkumar Gautam.

Gautam was hired as the “main shooter” as he knew how to operate guns, the official said citing the interrogation of Gurmail Singh and Dharmaraj Kashyap. All the four arrested accused have been sent to custody till October 21.

A police official had said only one constable was accompanying the slain NCP leader when he was shot dead who took cover of Dussehra fireworks to open fire. Non-categorised security, under which Siddique was given three constables, is provided as per the individual’s threat perception, the official added.

As per the police sources, Baba Siddique and Zeeshan Siddique, both were on the radar of shooters.

Zeeshan had, in September, written to the state intelligence unit seeking enhanced security citing a threat to life. According to sources, though Zeeshan had police protection as he was an MLA, his security was enhanced after he expressed his concerns.

Though the NCP leader’s shooters claimed to have links with Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, police are exploring multiple angles including a potential contract killing, business rivalry, and threats related to a slum rehabilitation project.