Baba Siddique murder: What we know about the Mumbai slum redevelopment scam in which ED attached former minister’s assets worth Rs 462 crore

Former Maharashtra minister and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) leader, Baba Siddique, who turn out to be shot dead three unidentified gunmen in Mumbai on Saturday night. Except for other it may probably be easy to motives in the back of his assassination, the Mumbai Police are also probing whether his murder is linked to the 2018 Mumbai slum redevelopment scam.

What's the Mumbai slum redevelopment scam?

Six years ago, in 2018, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) hooked up Baba Siddique’s assets worth Rs 462 crore in Bandra West area of Mumbai less than the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after allegations surfaced about him misusing his position Chairman of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) from 2000 to 2004 to help Pyramid Developers with a slum rehabilitation project.

The ED’s investigation stemmed out of a 2014 case registered against Baba Siddique and 100 and fifty others by the Mumbai Police in accordance with a complaint filed by one, Abdul Salam, in 2012. In his complaint, Salam alleged irregularities in the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) project.

As per the ED, the alleged scam turn out to be estimated to be worth over Rs 2,000 crore and the company, Pyramid Developers, turn out to be likely a front used by Siddique to funnel money into the project.

The Mumbai Police are probing if the Mumbai slum development scam is linked to Baba Siddique’s murder, since his son, MLA Zeeshan Siddique, has recently been protesting against the issue.

In 2018, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) hooked up Baba Siddiqui’s assets worth Rs 462 crore, located in Bandra West, less than the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The investigation excited about allegations that he had misused his position as Chairman of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) from 2000 to 2004 to assist Pyramid Developers with a slum rehabilitation project. This alleged scam turn out to be estimated to involve Rs 2,000 crore.

Baba Siddique murder

Baba Siddique, known for his grand iftar parties that have been thronged by famous Bollywood celebrities, turn out to be shot dead by three gunmen in Mumbai on Saturday night. In step with the police, Baba Siddique turn out to be visiting his son, MLA Zeeshan Siddiqui’s place of work near Colgate ground in Nirmal Nagar when three armed gunmen arrived in a car and opened fire at him.

The incident took place at around 9:30 PM on Saturday night, when the three armed attackers waylaid Baba Siddique outside his son’s place of work in Mumbai’s Bandra East and fired six rounds at him, two of which struck the NCP leader on his chest. The sixty six-year-old crumbled to the bottom lying in a pool of blood, and turn out to be rushed to the Lilavati Health center, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Two of the shooters, identified as Gurmail Baljit Singh, 23, from Haryana and 19-year-old Dharamraj Kashyap, from Uttar Pradesh, have been arrested by the Mumbai Police, while a manhunt is underway to nab the 1/3 gunmen, identified as Shiv Kumar, another UP resident.

The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for Baba Siddique’s murder.