Bail – Bombay High Court Grants Relief to Accused in Baba Siddique Murder Case
Bail – The Bombay High Court on Monday granted bail to 22-year-old Akashdeep Karaj Singh, one of the accused in the murder of former Maharashtra minister and senior Congress leader Baba Siddique. Singh has become the first person to secure bail in the high-profile case that has drawn widespread attention across Mumbai and beyond.
Court Directs Accused to Remain in Mumbai
A single bench of Justice Neela Gokhale allowed Singh’s application while placing specific restrictions on his movement. The court instructed the Punjab resident not to leave Mumbai until the completion of the trial. The order provides conditional relief but ensures his presence during further legal proceedings.
Singh was arrested in November 2024, nearly a month after the killing of Siddique. His plea before the court argued that he had been falsely implicated and that the allegations against him lacked clarity. He maintained that no direct role in the shooting had been attributed to him.
Details of the Fatal Shooting
Baba Siddique, 66, was shot dead on the night of October 12, 2024. The incident took place outside the Bandra East office of his son, Zeeshan Siddique. According to investigators, three armed assailants opened fire, resulting in Siddique’s death. The murder sent shockwaves through political circles in Maharashtra and triggered an extensive police investigation.
The case has since been treated as one involving organised crime, with authorities invoking stringent provisions under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
Defence Argues Lack of Specific Role
In his bail petition, Singh contended that the charges against him were general in nature. His counsel argued that he had merely been described as a member of an organised crime syndicate, without any concrete allegation detailing his involvement in the conspiracy or execution of the crime.
The defence further submitted that the trial was unlikely to commence in the near future. Prolonged detention without the start of trial proceedings, Singh’s legal team argued, would amount to a violation of his fundamental rights. The court, after hearing submissions from both sides, granted him bail under conditions.
Chargesheet Names Key Conspirator
Earlier this year, in January, the police filed a detailed chargesheet outlining the alleged conspiracy behind the killing. The document identified Anmol Bishnoi, the brother of incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, as a wanted accused in the case.
According to the prosecution, Anmol Bishnoi is believed to have masterminded the plot with the intention of establishing fear and asserting dominance within the organised crime network. Investigators claim the murder was part of a broader attempt to reinforce the influence of the syndicate.
Multiple Arrests Under MCOCA
So far, the police have arrested 26 individuals in connection with the case. All have been charged under MCOCA, a law that deals specifically with organised criminal activity and carries stringent provisions. The accused persons are currently in judicial custody as the investigation and pre-trial procedures continue.
Authorities have indicated that further steps in the case will depend on the progress of evidence review and court scheduling. The trial is expected to address allegations of conspiracy, unlawful activities, and the alleged roles of each accused individual.
With Singh now out on bail under court-imposed conditions, attention will likely turn to the upcoming stages of the trial and the status of the remaining accused. The case remains one of the most closely watched criminal investigations in Mumbai in recent months, given its political implications and links to organised crime networks.