Baba Siddique: Political Journey, Money Laundering Case, and Recent Tragic Murder

Baba Siddique News: Baba Siddique, a senior leader of the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was tragically murdered in Mumbai on a late Saturday night. The political leader, who had switched from Congress to NCP earlier this year, was shot three times. Reports indicate that the shooters had been surveying the area for 25-30 days before the attack. Two of the attackers were arrested soon after the incident, while the search for the third is still underway.

Baba Siddique had a long political history, having been elected three times as an MLA from the Bandra constituency under the Congress ticket. However, he later became embroiled in a major money laundering case in 2018. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) took severe action against him, leading to the attachment of properties worth ₹462 crore.

In 2018, Baba Siddique faced significant challenges when the ED launched an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This investigation linked Siddique and a close associate, builder Rafiq Mohammad Qureshi, to fraudulent activities related to a slum rehabilitation project in Mumbai. The ED conducted raids in Mumbai and several other locations, uncovering evidence that pointed to irregularities in the project.

The money laundering case originated from a 2012 complaint filed by a resident, Abdul Salam, alleging irregularities in the allocation of houses under the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) project. Based on this complaint, the Mumbai Police filed a case against Siddique and 150 others. The total value of the scam was estimated at ₹2000 crore. As part of its investigation, the ED attached assets worth ₹462 crore belonging to Baba Siddique.

Following his murder, there is speculation that his involvement in the SRA redevelopment case may have played a role in his death. The slum redevelopment project had already been the subject of opposition from Baba Siddique’s son, Zeeshan Siddique, who had voiced concerns over the project. Although no official statements have been made by the investigation agencies, the possibility of the redevelopment controversy being linked to Baba Siddique's murder cannot be ruled out.

Ujjwal Nikam, a well-known lawyer, has termed the murder as a highly unfortunate event, emphasizing that Mumbai has not witnessed the murder of a political leader for years. The Crime Branch is currently investigating all possible angles, including past threats received by Siddique and his involvement in the money laundering case.

As the investigation unfolds, the case is expected to reveal more details about the attackers and their motives. The involvement of major financial scams and political rivalries adds to the complexity of the case. Mumbai’s Crime Branch is working diligently to ensure that justice is served in this high-profile murder case.

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