Zeeshan Siddique questions Mumbai Police’s chargesheet, demands action against builders linked to father's murder

Zeeshan Siddique, son of NCP leader Baba Siddique, has raised serious concerns about the Mumbai Police’s investigation into his father’s murder. After meeting with Joint Commissioner Gautam Lakhmi at the Crime Branch office, Zeeshan questioned why the police have not interrogated certain individuals he suspects to be involved in the crime. These individuals, primarily builders, were named by Zeeshan in his statements to the police but have not been questioned so far.

Zeeshan stated that the police had not provided him with a copy of the chargesheet, which led him to approach the court to obtain it. He mentioned that despite having named several builders linked to a slum redevelopment project as potential suspects, the police had not yet pursued this line of investigation. Baba Siddique’s involvement in the redevelopment project, according to Zeeshan, could have been a motive behind the murder. He expressed frustration over the police's failure to probe this angle further, adding that the role of builders connected to this business has not been adequately examined.

The chargesheet filed by the Crime Branch on January 6 named Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, as the mastermind behind Baba Siddique's murder. The police investigation suggests that Siddique was killed because of his proximity to Bollywood actor Salman Khan, who is allegedly targeted by the Bishnoi gang. The chargesheet also revealed that the initial target was Salman Khan, but due to his strong security, the gang decided to kill Baba Siddique instead. This information has been included in the chargesheet, which details the involvement of various accused persons.

To date, 26 individuals have been arrested in connection with the murder, including the shooters who were caught at the crime scene and those who allegedly financed the murder. Among those arrested are Salman Vohra and Akashdeep Singh, who are accused of financing the crime. Despite these arrests, key suspects, such as Anmol Bishnoi, Shubham Lonkar, and Jisan Akhtar, are still at large, and Zeeshan has questioned why they have not been apprehended yet.

Zeeshan’s concerns about the investigation also extend to the police’s handling of the builder angle in the case. He has pointed out that the police have not found any evidence linking the builders to the crime, though he remains adamant that their involvement should be thoroughly investigated. According to sources from the Crime Branch, they did probe the names provided by Zeeshan but did not find sufficient evidence to question these individuals further. The police have also stated that while they believe they have apprehended the main suspects, the investigation is still ongoing, and further action will be taken if new evidence arises.

In light of these concerns, Zeeshan has decided to escalate the matter. He intends to meet with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to discuss the status of the investigation and push for a deeper inquiry into the matter. Zeeshan emphasized that if the authorities fail to address his concerns, he will consult his legal team to determine how best to challenge the investigation's findings in court.

The police have made clear that the investigation is still active and that if any new evidence emerges, further questioning of suspects, including those named by Zeeshan, will take place. The Crime Branch has applied the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the accused, and the investigation continues with multiple arrests still in progress.