Murder by Remote Control

The murder case of Baba Siddique is recognised as one of the most significant and prominent criminal investigations in modern India, encompassing claims of organized crime, international conspiracy, and the exploitation of criminal networks operating from prisons. On October 12, 2024, Baba Siddique, a senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party and former minister in Maharashtra, aged 66, was fatally shot by three attackers outside the office of his son, Zeeshan Siddique, in Bandra East, Mumbai. This assault took place in a public setting and was carried out with great accuracy, after which the perpetrators escaped the location. The assassination reverberated throughout the nation, largely due to Siddique’s extensive political history and his well-known connections with prominent figures in the film industry, especially actor Salman Khan, an association that later proved to be an important focus in police inquiries and the narratives of the charge sheet.In the aftermath of the event, investigators discovered a network of individuals associated with organised crime, mainly comprising members of the Bishnoi gang, an organised group reportedly led by the jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The probe pinpointed Lawrence Bishnoi’s younger sibling, Anmol Bishnoi, as the main conspirator who supposedly orchestrated the murder from overseas. One of the shooters, Shivkumar Gautam, was apprehended, while Shubham Lonkar and Mohammad Yasin Akhtar were designated as wanted individuals along with Anmol Bishnoi. Ultimately, authorities submitted a comprehensive charge sheet totalling around 4,590 pages to a special court, naming 26 individuals as accused and invoking various sections of the Indian Penal Code as well as stringent parts of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, underscoring the calculated and intentional nature of the crime.The Mumbai Police have stated that the assassination was not a product of any local political feud, disputes involving slum rehabilitation authorities, or conflicts at the constituency level, as had initially been suggested by some. Instead, the inquiry revealed that Baba Siddique was targeted due to his ties with powerful public figures, which the Bishnoi gang allegedly viewed as a threat to their criminal influence and symbolic power. Law enforcement officials have indicated that the execution of the murder was meant to convey a message, instil terror, and showcase the gang’s command and reach, a strategy commonly utilised by organised crime groups to reinforce their authority and intimidate rivals or those perceived as dangers.Additionally, the case took on a notable international aspect due to Anmol Bishnoi’s status as a fugitive. He had reportedly been evading capture since 2022, utilising fake passports and aliases while travelling through various countries, including Nepal, Dubai, Kenya, and ultimately the United States. In late 2024, Anmol Bishnoi was apprehended in the United States for entering illegally, where his identity was verified through biometric methods, including DNA analysis and voice samples conducted by American officials. After his request for asylum was denied, he was sent back to India in November 2025, representing a significant turn in the case. Upon his return, the National Investigation Agency formally took him into custody, and a Delhi court permitted 11 days of custodial interrogation, highlighting the seriousness of the crime, the international aspect of the conspiracy, and the necessity for a coordinated investigation with other suspects.The inquiry has yielded a significant quantity of proof, comprising testimonies from over 88 witnesses, confiscation of weapons and ammunition, recovery of cell phones, and examination of digital communication logs. Investigators have asserted that encrypted correspondence and call logs connect Anmol Bishnoi with the individuals carrying out the crimes. Yet, although court documents refer to forensic verification, thorough ballistic and DNA analyses that definitively link specific accused parties to the crime scene have not been entirely shared with the public, primarily due to the ongoing trial and the legal requirements surrounding evidence sharing.While 26 defendants are presently under judicial custody and formal charges have been presented, the matter has yet to reach a conclusive judgment. Various factors have been cited as the cause of the delays, including the extended absence of essential conspirators, the duration needed for interrogations of extradited suspects, and the complexities involved in establishing a legal conspiracy relationship in organised crime cases. Proving a permissible connection between individuals allegedly operating from overseas or from incarceration and the ground-level shooters necessitates thorough digital forensic investigations and supportive witness accounts. Furthermore, the legality of foreign evidence, like US detention and deportation documentation, requires meticulous judicial examination and adherence to recognized legal protocols.This case brings to light wider legal and institutional issues that Indian law enforcement faces in the fight against organised crime. The application of MCOCA highlights how serious these offenses are viewed, while the necessity for collaboration with international bodies such as Interpol and the FBI marks the escalating global aspect of criminal organizations. Despite public discussions regarding allegations of corruption or systemic failures, law enforcement officials argue that the delays are largely due to stringent evidentiary requirements, procedural protections, and the complexities surrounding international legal collaboration. Up to this point, there is no verified evidence available to indicate intentional delays or cooperation by the investigating bodies. If the prosecution manages to deliver definitive and legally acceptable proof, this situation could prompt additional actions against prominent organised crime leaders, encompassing wider aspects of the Lawrence Bishnoi network. Additionally, it may reveal more profound international connections related to illicit arms dealing, financial networks, and criminal activities based in prisons. Legal authorities think that successful prosecutions in this case could create a significant benchmark for tackling offenses that are planned internationally or that originate from within correctional facilities.To sum up, the Baba Siddique murder investigation stands out as one of the most crucial political murder inquiries in India involving organised crime. Although substantial advancements have been made through arrests, filing of charges, and global extradition, the final result will hinge on careful legal procedures, forensic backing, and decisions made by the judiciary. As of 2026, this case highlights both the growing international influence of Indian law enforcement and the ongoing difficulties faced when dealing with politically motivated violence linked to organised crime within the bounds of constitutional legal procedures.