Criminals no longer fear the law in Maha: Cong

October 13, 2024 09:59

The Congress on Saturday said the killing of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique is a serious indictment of the 'crumbling' law and order situation in Maharashtra and demanded a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident.

Former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique was shot dead by three men in Mumbai's Bandra area on Saturday. Two of the assailants have been arrested, according to officials.

The shocking incident prompted the opposition to question the law and order situation in the state, where assembly elections are expected to be held next month.

In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the tragic demise of Siddique is shocking beyond words.

"In this hour of grief, I offer my deepest condolences to his family, friends and supporters," he said.

"Justice must be ensured, and the present Maharashtra Govt must order a thorough and transparent investigation. The culprits must be brought to book at the earliest. Accountability is paramount," Kharge said.

Congress general secretary in-charge organisation K C Venugopal said, "Shocked, stunned and outraged at the killing of Baba Siddique ji. Siddique ji served the people with dedication and worked hard to preserve communal harmony. His passing away is a massive loss to the people of Mumbai and Maharashtra."

This incident is a serious indictment of the crumbling law and order situation in Maharashtra, Venugopal said on X.

Siddique had on multiple occasions intimated the authorities about the threat to his life and he suffered despite being under Y-plus security, he said.

"That this shooting took place on the road, in the middle of bustling markets, shows that criminals no longer fear the law in Maharashtra. Even leaders of the ruling alliance are not safe in the heart of its capital any more. The ruling regime must answer - when senior public figures aren't safe, how will the ordinary citizen feel safe today?" Venugopal said.

Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said on X, "Shocked beyond words to hear about the murder of Baba Siddique. I had first met him in 1999, with Shri Sunil Dutt. His going away is a personal loss." -- PTI

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Maha portfolio: Fadnavis gets Home, Ajit, Shinde get...

Shiv Sena's Dadaji Bhuse is the new school education minister while Uday Samant continues to be the industries minister.

Govt tweaks election rule; why is ECI afraid, asks Cong

Based on the recommendation of the Election Commission (EC), the Union law ministry on Friday amended Rule 93(2)(a) of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, to restrict the type of "papers" or documents open to public inspection.

Character assassination: Allu Arjun on stampede row

Hours after Reddy slammed the actor for holding a roadshow and waving to the crowds at the theatre, without referring to anyone, the 'Pushpa 2' star refuted the allegations and said it was not a procession or a roadshow.

Trudeau in trouble as ally vows to 'bring him down'

The future of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership appears increasingly uncertain after New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh, a key ally, said he would introduce a motion to topple the minority Liberal...

Ferry passengers planned throwing kids into sea: CISF

A team of CISF marine commandos rescued dozens of passengers from a sinking tourist ferry off the Mumbai coast, preventing panicked parents from throwing their children into the sea. The commandos reached the accident site within minutes...