Ex-Minister Killed in Shooting Incident.

A senior politician in Mumbai, India’s financial hub, was shot and killed on Saturday, just weeks before important state elections. Authorities are investigating the potential involvement of a notorious crime gang in the murder.

Baba Siddique, 66, a prominent local lawmaker and former minister of Maharashtra, was shot multiple times in the chest outside his son’s office, according to reports from Indian media.Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar, who is from the same political party as Siddique, expressed his shock at what he described as a “cowardly attack.”

The *Hindustan Times* reported that two suspects have been arrested, while police are still searching for a third suspect.According to broadcaster NDTV, the arrested individuals claimed to be linked to a gang led by Lawrence Bishnoi, a notorious criminal currently incarcerated and believed to have orchestrated multiple killings.

This incident occurred shortly after Siddique’s security was increased due to receiving death threats, and it comes just ahead of elections scheduled for later this year.“The incident will be thoroughly investigated, and we will take strong action against those responsible,” Pawar stated.

“We will also track down the mastermind behind this attack.”Siddique was well-known for his connections to several Bollywood celebrities and for hosting extravagant parties, making him a prominent figure in Maharashtra’s political and social spheres.

This assassination is reminiscent of a similar high-profile killing in 2023, when politician Atiq Ahmad was shot dead on live television in Uttar Pradesh.Ahmad, who had over 100 criminal cases against him, was killed along with his brother, Ashraf, while being escorted by police for a medical appointment.

This occurred just days after Ahmad’s son, Asad, was killed by police in an incident many considered extrajudicial.