Mumbai Police engages MCOCA in high-profile Baba Siddique murder case: Here’s what you need to know

Baba Siddique Murder Case: The tragic murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique led to a significant development in law. The Mumbai Police has invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) in this case, which grants it emergency powers to investigate and prosecute organized crime. Here’s what we know about MCOCA and what it means in this case.

Baba Siddique Murder: What is MCOCA?

The Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) was introduced in 1999 to combat organized crime and terrorism in the state of Maharashtra. The Act contains stringent provisions aimed at curbing criminal activities carried out by organized syndicates and terrorist groups.

MCOCA’s core functions include:

Surveillance powers: The Act gives authorities broad powers to monitor and intercept communications suspected of involvement in organized crime.

Admissibility of Statements: Statements given to police under the MCOCA are admissible in court, strengthening the prosecution’s case.

Difficult Bail: Defendants charged under MCOCA find it difficult to obtain bail due to the serious nature of the charges.

Enhanced Penalties: The Act allows for more stringent penalties to be imposed, including the possibility of the death penalty in some cases.

MCOCA in Baba Siddique murder case

In the wake of Baba Siddique’s murder, the Mumbai Police implemented the MCOCA, invoking its provisions to combat organized crime. The application of this stringent law highlights the seriousness of the crime and its links to organized crime syndicates.

According to a Mumbai Police official, the application of MCOCA in this case is intended to speed up the investigation process and provide stricter legal action against the accused.

The murder of Baba Siddique

Baba Siddique, 66, was shot dead on October 12 outside his son Zeeshan Siddique’s office in Bandra East, Mumbai. He suffered two gunshot wounds to the chest and was taken to Lilavati Hospital, where he later died.

Baba Siddique murder case: key players

The investigation revealed several critical details. The prime suspect, Akashdeep Gill, was arrested in Punjab and allegedly used a workers’ mobile hotspot to communicate with key people involved in the crime. Authorities linked the murder to the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, and one of the main conspirators was Anmol Bishnoi, Lawrence’s brother.

Lawrence Bishnoi, an imprisoned gangster, has been linked to various criminal activities across the country, including the shooting of Baba Siddique. Anmol Bishnoi’s alleged involvement in the conspiracy has attracted the attention of law enforcement agencies not only in Maharashtra but across the country.

Baba Siddique Murder: Investigation Ongoing

The Mumbai Crime Branch has made significant progress in the investigation. It turned out that the Bishnoi gang had bigger plans and a prominent leader from Pune also became a target after Baba Siddique’s murder. Although some of the conspirators were arrested, the main suspects Shubham Lonkar and Zishan Mohammad Akhtar remain at large.

As the investigation continues, police are working hard to piece together all the elements of the conspiracy behind the murder, with MCOCA playing a key role in the process.