Court orders bone test after accused in Baba Siddique murder claims to be minor

Baba Siddique murder: In a significant development in the Baba Siddique murder case, a court in Mumbai has ordered a bone ossification test for the second accused to verify his age. This decision comes after the young man, who was arrested from Uttar Pradesh, claimed to be a minor, despite his Aadhaar card stating he is 19 years old. For now, the court has delayed handing him over to police custody pending the test results.

How was Baba Siddiqui killed?

Former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, 66, was shot dead outside his son Zeeshan Siddique's office in Bandra East, Mumbai, in a shocking incident last night. The murder has been linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, with three shooters reportedly involved in the assassination.

Arrests made so far

Two suspects have been arrested so far. Gurmail Baljit Singh, 23, was apprehended in Haryana, while the second suspect, allegedly a minor, was captured in Uttar Pradesh. The third accused, identified as Shiv Kumar Gautam, also from Uttar Pradesh, remains on the run. Authorities have yet to release details about their handler.

The murder has stirred a political storm in Maharashtra, with the Opposition Congress criticizing the state's law and order situation under Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's government.

Tragic demise: Politicians react

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating, "The tragic demise of Baba Siddique ji is shocking and saddening. My thoughts are with his family in this difficult time. This horrifying incident exposes the complete collapse of law and order in Maharashtra."

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge echoed the sentiment, calling for justice and urging the Maharashtra government to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation. "Accountability is paramount," he added.