Baba Siddique with MLA’s son Zeeshan Siddique in Mumbai | Image/X
Earlier on Saturday, the slain leader’s son shared several cryptic posts on the social media platform, leading many to speculate on their meaning.
Amid the ongoing investigation into his father Baba Siddique’s murder, Congress MP Zeeshan Siddique on Sunday challenged the culprits to say that “the battle is far from over”. Zeeshan said he was the son of a lion and was still alive, relentless and ready to strike back.
“They silenced my father. But they forget—he was a lion—and I carry his roar within me, his struggle in my veins. He stood up for justice, fought for change and weathered the storms with unwavering courage. Now, those who took him down look to me, assuming they won, I declare to them: The blood of a lion runs in my veins,” he said in an X post.
They silenced my father. But they forget—he was a lion—and I carry his roar within me, his struggle in my veins. He stood up for justice, fought for change and weathered the storms with unwavering courage. Now those who took it down are looking back at me assuming they won,… — Zeeshan Siddique (@zeeshan_iyc) October 20, 2024
The Congress MLA further said that he was “unafraid and undaunted” despite Baba’s murder.
“I’m still here, undaunted and unbroken. They took one, but I stand in his place. This battle is far from over. Today I stand where he was: ALIVE, RUTHLESS and READY,” he added.
Earlier on Saturday, the slain leader’s son shared several cryptic posts on the social media platform, leading many to speculate on their meaning.
“Not all that is hidden sleeps, nor all that is visible speaks,” Zeeshan’s post reads. In another post, he wrote a couplet in Hindi that says, “Cowards often frighten the brave; even jackals can kill lions by trickery.
Not all that is hidden sleeps, nor all that is visible speaks.— Zeeshan Siddique (@zeeshan_iyc) October 18, 2024
The cowardly often scare the brave, the jackal also kills the lion with guile – Zeeshan Siddique (@zeeshan_iyc) October 19, 2024
In his first reaction on Thursday, Zeeshan demanded justice and that Baba’s death should not be politicized and will not go in vain.
“My father lost his life protecting and saving the lives and homes of poor innocent people. Today, my family is broken, but his death should not be politicized and certainly should not be in vain. I NEED JUSTICE, MY FAMILY NEEDS JUSTICE!” he had said.
My father lost his life protecting and saving the lives and homes of poor innocent people. Today, my family is broken, but his death should not be politicized and certainly should not be in vain. I NEED JUSTICE, MY FAMILY NEEDS JUSTICE!— Zeeshan Siddique (@zeeshan_iyc) October 17, 2024
Zeeshan met Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday and was apprised of the police investigation so far in the case.
Police arrested a 10th accused
The Mumbai police on Sunday arrested another accused in connection with the Siddique murder case. Police arrested 32-year-old Bhagwat Singh from Belapur in Navi Mumbai.
According to the police, Singh, who lived in Mumbai’s BKC area until the day of the attack, supplied weapons to the shooters. The accused was handed over to the court, which remanded him in police custody until October 26.
This brings the total number of detainees to 10.
On Friday, the crime branch conducted several raids in Panvel and Karjat and arrested five people – Nitin Gautam Sapre (32), Sambhaji Kisan Pardhi (44), Pradeep Dattu Thombre (37), Chetan Dilip Pardi and Ram Phulchand Kanujia (43). ).) – for conspiracy related to the crime and its execution.
Police had earlier arrested four people, including Haryana resident Gurmail Baljit Singh (23), Uttar Pradesh-born Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap (19), and the two alleged gunmen; Harishkumar Balakram Nisad (23) and ‘co-conspirator’ Pravin Lonkar, who hails from Pune.
The main shooter in the case, Shivkumar Gautam, along with Shubham Lonkar and Mohammed Zeeshan Akhtar, are currently absconding. The cops have formed several teams to nab the accused.
The case of the murder of Baba Siddiq
Baba Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister and three-time MLA, was shot dead by three men outside his son’s MLA office in Mumbai’s Bandra on Saturday night. He was rushed to Lilavati Hospital where he was declared brought dead.
According to police sources, Baba Siddique and Zeeshan Siddique, both were on the shooters’ radar.
Although the NCP leader’s shooters claimed to have links with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, police are investigating many angles, including a potential contract killing, business rivalry and threats related to a slum rehabilitation project.
