Arrest of Zeeshan Akhtar in Canada.
Zeeshan Akhtar, a 22 year old man suspected to be a key conspirator in the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, has been arrested in Canada. He was taken into custody in connection with a fake passport case, triggered by an Interpol Red Notice issued against him. Canadian authorities have been holding him for over a week. The arrest was confirmed by Maharashtra's Minister of State for Home, Yogesh Kadam, who stated that India has begun the extradition process to bring Akhtar back for further interrogation and legal proceedings.
/*Role in the Baba Siddique Murder Case. */
According to Mumbai Police, Zeeshan Akhtar played a significant role in the murder that occurred on October 12, 2024. He is alleged to have been contracted by Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, along with another operative, Shubham Lonkar. According to The Times Of India, Investigators say Akhtar coordinated with jailed shooter Gurmel Singh and other accused, and arranged weapons and shelter for the assailants. He left Mumbai a month before the murder in Oct to avoid suspicion. So far, 26 accused have been arrested, including Shivkumar Gautam alias Shiva, who is accused of firing the shots at Siddique.
/*Financial and Criminal Links. */
Investigators have revealed that Zeeshan Akhtar managed over /*ten bank*/ accounts to fund the murder operation, making it difficult to trace the money trail. His involvement is not limited to this case, he is also being investigated for connections to grenade attacks in Punjab, including one at the home of senior BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia on April 7 and another targeting on Youtuber Rozer Sandhu’s house on March 16. These findings indicate a broader pattern of criminal activity and suggest that Akhtar is an important link in a wider terror and organized crime network operating under the Bishnoi gang.
/*Next Steps: Extradition and Legal Action. */
With Akhtar now in Canadian custody, Indian authorities are pushing forward with the extradition process. Once he is returned to India, he will be formally interrogated and could be charged under stringent laws such as the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). His arrest is seen as a breakthrough in unraveling the international dimensions of the Baba Siddique murder case and could lead to more high profile revelations and arrests in the coming weeks.