Baba Siddique Murder Mastermind, Zeeshan Akhtar Detained In Canada: Report
Akhtar, linked to the Bishnoi gang, is accused of planning and funding the assassination, coordinating with shooters, and arranging weapons.
The wanted key conspirator in the murder of Nationalist Congress Party leader Baba Siddique, Zeeshan Akhtar has been detained in Canada, reported The Times of India.
The 22-year-old Punjab resident has been detained on Interpol's notice and has been in the custody of Canadian police for over a week, according to the report quoting sources. However, police in India have yet to receive a confirmation on the action against the alleged mastermind.
With links to the Lawrence and Anmol Bishnoi gang, Akhtar is the second accused to be detained in Canada after Anmol.
NCP legislator and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique was shot dead by bike-borne assailants on October 12, 2024, outside his MLA son, Zeeshan Siddique's office in Mumbai's Bandra area.
Planning, Funding Baba Siddique's Murder
The arrested accused has been alleged to have planned the killing and funded it through over 10 bank accounts.
According to investigators, Akhtar coordinated with jailed shooter Gurmel Singh and other accused. He arranged the weapons and shelter for the assailants and left Mumbai a month before the murder in October to avoid suspicion, the report added.
As many as 26 accused have been arrested in connection with the case so far. Shivkumar Gautam alias Shiva who is accused of opening fire at Siddique is amongst those arrested by the police who have also nabbed other accused from multiple locations including Pune, Bahraich, Haryana, Dombivli, and Karjat.
A chargesheet is set to be filed against all 26 accused under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
While son Zeeshan has alleged the role of a builder lobby in his father's murder, the police have ruled out this angle.
The police chargsheet claimed the involvement of Lawrence's Canada-based brother Anmol in the murder. The police stated that the murder was a fallout of Siddique's alleged links with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and actor Salman Khan.
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