Mumbai Court Frames MCOCA Charges Against 27 in Baba Siddique Murder Case
A special court in Mumbai on Tuesday formally framed charges against twenty-seven individuals, including the alleged shooter, in connection with the high-profile murder of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique, which occurred in October 2024. This significant legal development marks a crucial step forward in the judicial process for a case that has captured national attention due to its political and criminal implications.
Court Proceedings and Defendant Appearances
During the court session, fifteen of the twenty-seven accused were physically produced before the judge from Mumbai Central Prison and Kalyan jail. The remaining twelve defendants, who are currently lodged in Thane prison, appeared via videoconference facility to ensure their participation in the proceedings. All twenty-seven individuals pleaded not guilty to the charges presented against them, setting the stage for a potentially lengthy trial ahead.
Details of the Fatal Incident
Baba Siddique was tragically shot dead on October 12, 2024, while leaving the office of his son, former MLA Zeeshan Siddique, in the Bandra (East) area of Mumbai. Three assailants carried out the attack, leading to immediate investigations by the Mumbai police. The police subsequently arrested twenty-seven people in relation to the case, while also naming gangster Anmol Bishnoi as a wanted accused. Bishnoi was extradited to India from the United States in November 2025, adding an international dimension to the investigation.
Legal Charges and Allegations
The accused will face charges under multiple legal provisions, including:
- Relevant sections of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA)
- Sections pertaining to murder and criminal conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Sections of the Arms Act related to illegal weapon use
According to police claims, the shooting was executed on the instructions of Anmol Bishnoi. The motive allegedly stemmed from Siddique's close association with Bollywood actor Salman Khan, with the intent to establish the supremacy of Bishnoi's gang as an organised crime syndicate for financial gains. This connection to a prominent celebrity has heightened public and media interest in the case.
Profile of the Accused and Bail Status
Most of the accused in this case are under thirty years of age, highlighting a trend of younger individuals being involved in serious organised crime activities. Of the twenty-seven charged, only one is currently out on bail: twenty-two-year-old Akashdeep Karaj Singh. The Bombay High Court granted him bail on Monday, just one day before the framing of charges, a decision that has drawn attention in legal circles.
The Mumbai police have emphasized that the use of MCOCA indicates the organised nature of the crime, suggesting a well-planned conspiracy rather than a spontaneous act. As the trial progresses, further details are expected to emerge regarding the roles of each accused and the evidence linking them to the murder. This case continues to underscore the challenges of combating organised crime in urban centers like Mumbai, while also reflecting on the intersections between politics, celebrity, and criminal networks in contemporary India.
