Mumbai, October 13: In the wake of the shocking murder of NCP leader and former minister Baba Siddique, security has been tightened at the residences of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar in Mumbai’s Malabar Hill area.
This heightened security follows instructions to put barriers at critical points.
Siddique was shot dead on Saturday night by three assailants, two of whom have been arrested, while one, identified as Shiva, remains at large. The two arrested suspects, Dharmaraj and Gurmel, are from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, respectively, with no previous criminal records. Police suspect that the murder was a contract killing, with Shiva allegedly hired for the crime.
NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal expressed deep concern over the incident and placed responsibility on both the Chief Minister and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, urging swift action. Bhujbal noted that Siddique had received Y-category security due to previous threats, but it proved insufficient. Bhujbal also called for an investigation into the origins of these threats, stressing the importance of restoring Maharashtra Police's strong reputation and ensuring swift justice.
This murder comes just days after the killing of NCP’s Byculla Taluka President Sachin Kurmi, raising alarm about the growing violence. Bhujbal urged authorities to act on these cases swiftly, emphasizing that there is no political agenda behind the demand—only the need to curb contract killings and restore public safety.
