Kalaburagi (Karnataka), Oct 13: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge slammed the Maharashtra government following the shooting of NCP leader Baba Siddique, calling it a significant failure of law and order.
Kharge stated, "We have consistently expressed concerns about the law and order situation. Despite Siddique voicing fears for his safety, the police failed to protect him. This is a serious oversight by the administration. In a major city like Mumbai, the police should always be vigilant. This incident reflects a breakdown in law enforcement and intelligence. If the government neglects such issues, it is essentially ignoring the gravity of the situation."
Baba Siddique, a member of Ajit Pawar's faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was shot near Nirmal Nagar in Bandra and later succumbed to his injuries at Lilavati Hospital late Saturday night. His remains were taken to his residence in Bandra.
In response to the murder, the Mumbai Crime Branch has initiated an investigation, registering a case at Nirmal Nagar Police Station under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Arms Act, and the Maharashtra Police Act. The case, registered under Crime No. 589/2024, includes sections pertaining to criminal conspiracy and firearms offenses.
Earlier today, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that Baba Siddique would receive full state honors during his cremation.
