MCOCA Court Rebukes Mumbai Police Over Baba Siddique Case

A special MCOCA court in Mumbai has pulled up the city's police force for its failure to bring Anmol Bishnoi, brother of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, before the court to face trial in the murder case of NCP leader Baba Siddique.

Baba Siddique, 66, was shot dead by three assailants outside his son Zeeshan's office in Mumbai's Bandra (East) area on the night of October 12, 2024. The special court heard arguments on a plea filed by Siddique's wife, Shehzeen, who alleged that the Mumbai Police was avoiding bringing Bishnoi before the court due to external pressure.

Through her lawyers, Pradip Gharat and Trivankumar Karnani, Shehzeen prayed for directions to the prosecution to secure the custody of Anmol Bishnoi. The court, presided over by Special MCOCA Judge Satyanarayan Navander, directed the Mumbai Police to follow the procedure for securing the presence of the absconding accused, including Bishnoi.

The court expressed its displeasure over the Mumbai Police's inaction, stating that it is the responsibility of the investigating agency to secure the custody of an accused, conduct investigations, and place them on trial. The court said it should not have to remind the investigating agency of its statutory duties, particularly in a prosecution relating to a serious offence like murder.

During the hearing, the prosecution expressed its inability to secure Bishnoi's custody due to an order passed by the Government of India on December 5, 2025, which restrained his removal from prison for a year or until the conclusion of the trial in a case registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against him.

However, the court suggested that video conferencing could be used to secure Bishnoi's presence, given the advancement of digital technology. The court said that if Bishnoi remains in judicial custody at Tihar Jail, there is no legal impediment to securing his production before the court through video conferencing.

The court directed the Mumbai Police to formally arrest Bishnoi in the present case with the permission of the competent court and, if necessary, interrogate him while he remains in judicial custody after obtaining appropriate permission from the court concerned in Delhi.

The murder of Baba Siddique sent shockwaves across the city, and the case has been closely watched by the public and the media. The special MCOCA court's directive to the Mumbai Police is seen as a significant development in the case, and it remains to be seen how the police will respond to the court's orders.

The case highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in securing the presence of absconding accused, particularly those who are already in judicial custody in other cases. The use of video conferencing as a solution to this problem is an interesting development, and it may set a precedent for future cases.

In the context of Mumbai's crime scene, the Baba Siddique murder case is a reminder of the city's ongoing struggle with organized crime and gang violence. The case has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the city's law enforcement agencies in tackling these issues.

The special MCOCA court's directive to the Mumbai Police is a significant step towards ensuring that justice is served in the Baba Siddique murder case. It remains to be seen how the case will unfold in the coming days and weeks, but one thing is clear - the court's orders will have a significant impact on the investigation and prosecution of the case.

In conclusion, the MCOCA court's rebuke of the Mumbai Police is a wake-up call for the city's law enforcement agencies to take decisive action in the Baba Siddique murder case. The use of video conferencing to secure the presence of absconding accused is an innovative solution that may have far-reaching implications for the city's criminal justice system. As the case continues to unfold, it is likely to have significant implications for the city's crime scene and the effectiveness of its law enforcement agencies.