Former Maharashtra minister and prominent Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, Baba Siddique, has been assassinated in Mumbai.
According to Indian media reports, Siddique was attacked by three gunmen on motorcycles, who opened fire at him in a targeted assault.
The incident took place in the Bandra West area, where Siddique, a three-time MLA, was shot.
He was immediately rushed to Lilavati Hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Doctors later confirmed his death due to the severity of his wounds.
Siddique, who had recently switched from the Indian National Congress to join Ajit Pawar's faction of the NCP earlier this year, was a well-known figure not only in political circles but also among Bollywood stars.
His annual Ramadan Iftar parties were famous, attended by celebrities including Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan.
He also played a significant role in restoring relations between the two Bollywood superstars.
Reports from "The Economic Times" suggest that the police are investigating the involvement of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, as Siddique had close ties with Salman Khan, who had reportedly been targeted by the gang in the past.
Additionally, sources indicate that Siddique was embroiled in a dispute over a Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) project, which is now being investigated as a potential motive behind the assassination.
Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident and are working to identify the assailants responsible for this high-profile assassination.
