The murder of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique has sent shockwaves across the country, with the Mumbai Police looking into several angles that could throw light on the motive behind the sensational killing.
According to the new leads that have emerged in the case, Siddique’s close proximity to actor Salman Khan as well as an ongoing Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) project could be the possible reasons behind the murder.
Siddique, known for his strong presence in the Bandra region, was reportedly involved in various real-estate projects, including several crucial SRA works. His position within the NCP and his influence over Mumbai’s slum rehabilitation programmes made him a powerful player in the real-estate world — a sector notoriously entangled in disputes, money, and muscle power. On the day of his murder, Siddique was traveling through his constituency when unknown assailants opened fire on his vehicle. Though he was rushed to Lilavati Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
The SRA projects have long been a hotbed of conflict in Mumbai. SRA schemes, designed to provide housing for the city’s sprawling slum population while also offering lucrative real-estate opportunities for developers, are often mired in disputes. Given the huge sums of money involved in the projects, it’s not rare for criminal elements to infiltrate the process.
Siddique had reportedly been overseeing a large SRA project in his constituency. Rumours of threats and intimidation surrounding the project had circulated for months, with various groups vying for control of the land. The real estate mafia in Mumbai, with its deep-rooted connections to political and criminal networks, often finds itself at the centre of such disputes. So, could Siddique’s role in the SRA project have made him a target?
According to reports, just a few days ago, Siddique’s son and Congress MLA Zeeshan had staged a protest against an SRA project in his constituency. Mumbai Police are also probing the business rivalry angle, along with the SRA project angle.
Apart from this, police are looking into the Lawrence Bishnoi angle. Bishnoi is no stranger to controversy and violence. Over the last decade, his criminal empire has grown from small-time extortion rackets to transnational crime. Bishnoi’s name has been linked to various high-profile crimes, including extortion, drug smuggling, and even murder. His network, which spans multiple states, has allegedly infiltrated various business sectors, including real estate.
Bishnoi’s alleged involvement in Siddique’s murder, though still under investigation, has raised eyebrows in police circles. What began as a possible political assassination is now being viewed through the lens of organised crime. The looming question is: What motive would Bishnoi or his associates have in eliminating a figure like Siddique? One obvious reason is Siddique’s close proximity to actor Salman Khan, who is one of the targets of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, especially after the killing of a blackbuck during his film shoot in Rajasthan.
Mumbai Police have not ruled out the possibility of a larger conspiracy. Sources close to the investigation suggest that Siddique had been receiving threats for some time, but the exact nature of those threats remains unclear. Simultaneously, the police are attempting to piece together whether Siddique’s political rivals, either within the NCP or outside of it, might have had reasons to orchestrate his downfall. The involvement of a figure like Lawrence Bishnoi complicates the investigation as his vast criminal network is known for working on behalf of others in exchange for financial gain or political favours.
As the investigation unfolds, Mumbai Police face mounting pressure to bring the culprits to justice. With the public and political parties closely watching, the case has now taken on national significance.
The story of Baba Siddique’s life and death is a reminder of the risks involved in Mumbai’s volatile real estate and political landscape. The police investigation, though still in its early stages, may eventually unravel a web of deceit, corruption, and violence that stretches far beyond the boundaries of Bandra or the SRA project.
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