Mumbai Police Deny Shielding Anmol Bishnoi in Baba Siddique Murder Case

Mumbai Police have rejected allegations that they deliberately avoided taking custody of gangster Anmol Bishnoi, a wanted accused in the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, telling a special MCOCA court that all necessary steps were being taken to bring him before investigators.

The response followed a show-cause notice issued on August 5 to the investigating officer over the alleged failure to produce Bishnoi through video conference, despite the court's July 10 direction.

The Crime Branch said physical custody of Bishnoi was essential for a thorough investigation and argued that video conferencing could not be used as a substitute for a first-time arrest in the case.

However, police said they faced a legal hurdle because Bishnoi is currently lodged in Tihar Jail, Delhi. He was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in November 2025 after being deported from the United States in connection with a case involving alleged links between criminal gangs and terror organisations.

Police said the Centre issued an order on December 5, 2025, restricting Bishnoi's movement outside Delhi and the high-security prison for one year or until completion of his trial. The restrictions were imposed under provisions of the BNSS and UAPA.

The Mumbai Crime Branch said it had promptly approached the Patiala House Court in New Delhi for a production warrant. However, the plea was rejected because of the central government's restrictions.

The police told the MCOCA court that there had been no wilful or deliberate disobedience of its earlier order and denied any attempt to protect Bishnoi. Investigators maintained that every action was aimed at securing his custody and advancing the prosecution.

The matter arose after Siddique's family sought directions for Bishnoi's custody, alleging that authorities were avoiding action due to external pressure.

Siddique, a senior NCP leader, was shot dead on October 12, 2024, outside his son Zeeshan's office in Mumbai's Bandra East. Police have named Anmol Bishnoi as a wanted accused and alleged key conspirator. More than two dozen suspects have been arrested in the case.