Tailor injured in Baba Siddique murder, ‘Nobody even came to ask how I am'

The killing of NCP leader Baba Siddique has sparked intense discussion in political circles and Bollywood yet none of them seem concerned about checking on the 22yearold ladiesrsquo tailor who was wounded by a misfired bullet from jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoirsquos shooters in Bandra EastRaj Nirmal the victim who left his footwear behind in the frantic rush while clutching his injured leg has been discharged from Bhabha Hospital after doctors successfully removed the bullet However he has been advised to rest properly for a quicker recoveryNirmal had been working hard to earn more money in preparation for his sisterrsquos wedding in February With Diwali approaching he was receiving a steady flow of customer orders but the incident shattered all his hopesRaj Nirmal at his rented house after being discharged PicAshish Raje right Matafer Kannaujia father of Raj Nirmal outside Bhabha hospitalOriginally from Rae Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh Nirmal lives in a rented apartment in Kherwadi Bandra East with his father and uncleHe had been helping his father save for his sisterrsquos marriage in February but the tragedy has left him shattered as he can no longer operate the tailoring machine despite the rising demand from local customersldquoI had planned to work hard during this festive season to earn well Many customers preorder clothes from their favourite tailors to ensure they have the perfect outfits for Diwali I was receiving orders from my customers but now I am helplessrdquo Nirmal saidNow Nirmalrsquos cashstrapped family is anxious about arranging a smooth wedding for his younger sisterldquoI used to earn about Rs 12000 to Rs 15000 a month but after this incident I am completely out of workrdquo he saidHis father Matafer Kannuajia works nearby ironing clothes ldquoMy sisterrsquos wedding is in February with her engagement in November and I was working hard to save for the family celebrations But this tragedy has destroyed my hoperdquo Nirmal saidWhen asked if any politician Bollywood personality or notable figure had come to check on him Nirmal said ldquoWho would come to a poor manrsquos home sirhellip this is Mumbai where the wealthy are worshipped I was shot in the leg but no one has even come to ask how I amrdquoHis father Kannaujia said ldquoHe is my eldest son who has been helping me keep the household running We are barely getting by After this incident I canrsquot concentrate on my work because my sonrsquos health is more importantrdquoldquoThe TV news channels are talking about a big politician who was killed but none of them care about my son whorsquos now bedridden after this incidentrdquo said Kannaujia who has appealed to the state government for compensation to cover the damagesCelebration to nightmareAfter a long day of hard work Nirmal had gone out with his friend to watch the visarjan in his neighborhood when he was hit by a bulletldquoIt was Dussehra but I had been working all day In the evening I finally got free and went out with my friend to see the visarjan We had juice nearby then sat in a parked autorickshaw before standing to watch the religious procession up closerdquo Nirmal saidldquoPeople were dancing to loud music The police were everywhere and everyone was enjoying the firecrackers We were completely absorbed in the celebration when something hit my left leg It was a dimly lit area so at first I didnrsquot realise what had happened to my legrdquo he saidldquoSuddenly people started running and shouting lsquorun run therersquos gunfirersquo Hearing this I also tried to escape the crowd but my injured leg wouldnrsquot support merdquo he saidldquoThe scene was utter chaos and I was in pain bleeding heavily Despite the intense pain I cradled my leg and left my footwear behind to reach a nearby temple where the police saw me bleedingrdquo he saidldquoAfter resting for a while at the temple the police and some people rushed me to the hospital where officers later came to record my statementrdquo he saidNirmal came to Mumbai in 2019 and was stuck here during the lockdown He returned to his hometown to complete his education but came back to Mumbai to help his father support the family2019Year Raj Nirmal came to Mumbai