"Police's duty not limited to merely giving security": Chhagan Bhujbal criticizes police over Baba Siddique's murder

Nashik: Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Sunday criticized the police over his party colleague Baba Siddique's murder, saying their duty not just involves giving security but also to find out the source of the threat their protectee is facing.
"It is saddening. In the last 10 days, one Talluka Pramukh and one leader of NCP have been murdered. Police were aware of the threats and Y security was provided to him. The duty of the police is not limited to merely giving security. It also involves investigating from where the threats are coming, and who are those giving these threats," Chhagan Bhujbal told reporters.
"Police should take strict action as soon as possible. There is no political angle to it, I have zero doubts regarding that. I don't know if there is any personal reason, the police are to investigate that," he added.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also expressed his shock and sadness over the killing of Siddique.
Fadnavis, who also holds the Home Department portfolio, said that the police will brief the media after getting the custody of the accused from the court.
"This is a sad and serious incident. I had a close friendship with Baba Siddique. We are all shocked by this kind of incident. Two accused in this case have been arrested. The investigation is going on. After getting the custody of the accused today, the police will conduct a briefing. The theories that are coming are not official. Some angles are being noticed and an investigation is underway," Fadnavis told reporters.
Reacting to NCP chief Sharad Pawar's blaming of the state's "collapsed law and order situation" for the murder, Fadnavis said, "He (Sharad Pawar) only wants power even after such a serious incident."
Siddique, a leader in Ajit Pawar's faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was shot at near Nirmal Nagar in Bandra. He later succumbed to his bullet injuries at Lilavati Hospital late Saturday night.
Sharad Pawar termed the killing of Siddique in Mumbai as "regrettable."
Taking to X, Sharad Pawar said, "The state's collapsed law and order situation is a cause for concern. The shooting of former state minister Baba Siddique in Mumbai, the financial capital of the country, is regrettable. If the Home Minister and the rulers are going to push the cart of the state so mildly, it can be an alarm bell for the common people."
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday urged everyone to resist from politicizing the killing of NCP leader Baba Siddique and said that this is not a time for "exploiting" the pain of others for political advantage.
In a post on X, Pawar said that the NCP has been devastated by the tragic loss of Baba Siddique and is struggling to grasp the cruelty of this incident.
"A leader deeply loved by many, and personally, I have lost a dear friend whom I have known for years. We are heartbroken, struggling to grasp the cruelty of this incident. This is not just a political loss--it's a deeply personal tragedy that has shaken us all," he said.
"I strongly urge everyone to resist the temptation to politicize this horrifying event. This is not a time for division or for exploiting the pain of others for political advantage. Right now, our focus must be on ensuring that justice is served. We will not rest until those responsible are brought to account," Ajit Pawar added.
Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde on Sunday announced that NCP leader Baba Siddique would be cremated with full state honours, who was shot dead in Mumbai.
According to the Chief Minister Office (CMO), Siddique will be given full state honours as he served as minister in the Maharashtra government during 2004-2008 and also as chairman of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA).
Meanwhile, the Mumbai Crime Branch has registered a case at Nirmal Nagar Police Station in connection with the murder under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Arms Act and Maharashtra Police Act.
The case has been registered at Nirmal Nagar Police Station under Crime Registration No. 589/2024, Sections 103(1), 109, 125, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 3, 25, 5, and 27 of the Arms Act, and Section 37 and section 137 of the Maharashtra Police Act.