Mumbai Police on Monday disclosed that Zeeshan Siddiqui, son of NCP leader Baba Siddiqui, had received threats just days before his father was shot dead in Mumbai. During interrogation, the accused revealed that both Zeeshan and Baba Siddiqui were targeted, and they were ordered to fire on anyone they encountered. “Zeeshan Siddiqui was also the target of the accused. The accused were given a contract to kill both Zeeshan and Baba Siddiqui,” stated the police.
Earlier on Sunday, investigating officers hinted that the shooters had specific instructions to assassinate both the senior NCP leader and his son, MLA Zeeshan Siddiqui. Baba Siddiqui, aged 66, was gunned down by three assailants at Kher Nagar in Bandra, Mumbai, just outside Zeeshan’s office on Saturday night. He was immediately rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where he was declared dead. On the same day, Zeeshan had left his office only minutes before his father’s arrival.
The police suspect that an insider provided critical information about the Siddiqui family’s whereabouts, allowing the attackers to arrive at the crime scene, Kherwadi junction, on time. Investigators believe that the accused regularly visited Bandra for reconnaissance of locations associated with Baba and Zeeshan Siddiqui, often using auto-rickshaws to avoid detection.
The day of the incident was particularly unusual, as both father and son were at the same location, which was reportedly not part of Baba Siddiqui’s usual routine. After attending a Garba event, Baba made an unplanned visit to Zeeshan’s office. Upon inquiring about his son’s whereabouts, he was informed that Zeeshan had left for work only minutes earlier.
As Baba Siddiqui walked toward his car, the attackers reportedly deployed a tear gas-like substance. Following the chaos, one of the main suspects, Shivkumar Gautam, allegedly fired six rounds from a 9 mm pistol and fled. Although the other two accomplices did not fire, they were carrying loaded pistols and a total of 28 live cartridges, according to police reports.
The tragic assassination of Baba Siddiqui has shocked Mumbai’s political circles, and police are continuing their investigations, focusing on identifying those involved in planning and executing the crime, including any insiders who may have passed on information to the killers.
