INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
A prominent Indian politician known for his strong connections to Bollywood was shot dead in Mumbai on Saturday by unknown assailants, just
the upscale Bandra East area of Mumbai.The 66-year-old former Maharashtra state minister was shot in the chest by three men who fired a
volley of bullets on Saturday, when the country was celebrating the Hindu festival of Dussehra.Siddique was rushed to Lilavati Hospital, but
succumbed to his injuries
said he was shocked by the killing
ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections and a resurgence of gang violence in Mumbai, something which has been curbed in recent
years.The police have arrested three suspects and said they were connected to the crime organisation run by jailed gang leader Lawrence
Bishnoi, according to the NDTV news channel.The gang has been linked to a number of high-profile killings and extortion cases in the past
Even though Bishnoi, who faces dozens of criminal cases, is currently lodged in a jail in Gujarat, his gang keeps making headlines over
reports of ransom calls to businessmen.Bishnoi has also been linked by police to a number of murder cases in recent years, including the
alleged killers had admitted to being in touch with the gang.Police are reportedly investigating two potential motives behind the attack:
the Congress Party who later aligned with a faction of the smaller Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) that formed a Maharashtra coalition
government with the BJP.His influence stretched far beyond politics, however, and he often made headlines for his ties to Bollywood
His lavish iftar parties, a festive meal eaten by Muslims at sunset to break their fast during Ramadan, were attended by stars like Shah
Rukh Khan and Salman Khan
Siddique reportedly played a key role in mending the relationship between the two Bollywood superstars.Siddique had received a death threat
as recently 15 days before the attack and was given Y-level security, the fourth tier of security provided by the government of India to
prominent individuals who face threats seen as relatively mild
A security team at this level typically includes 8 personnel, including one or two commandos and some police officers.Maharashtra chief
home ministry, said he is monitoring the case.Sharad Pawar, former chief minister of Maharashtra and a critic of the Narendra Modi-led
