Baba Siddique, 66, was shot dead by three assailants on the night of October 12, 2024, outside the Bandra office of his son, Zeeshan Siddique, who serves as a Member of the Legislative Assembly. The murder sent shockwaves across Maharashtra and triggered one of the most closely watched criminal investigations in recent years.
At the time of the incident, Constable Shyam Sonawane was attached to the Protection and Security Branch of Mumbai Police and had been assigned to Baba Siddique's personal security detail. Immediately after the killing, Sonawane was suspended and placed under departmental investigation to determine whether lapses in duty contributed to the fatal breach in security.
The inquiry concluded that Sonawane had failed in his responsibilities and was guilty of negligence of duty. Following the findings, the Police Department issued a show-cause notice asking why he should not be removed from service. After reviewing his response, the department issued a formal dismissal order, which Sonawane acknowledged on May 2, 2026. He has now been officially terminated from the Mumbai Police force.
The murder investigation has also expanded internationally. In November 2025, Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, was brought to New Delhi after being deported from the United States in connection with the Baba Siddique murder case.
Anmol Bishnoi became the nineteenth accused arrested in the case being investigated by the National Investigation Agency. In a charge sheet filed in March 2023, the agency detailed his alleged links with Goldy Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi in several major crimes committed across India between 2020 and 2023.
In another major breakthrough, Zeeshan Akhtar, described as a key conspirator in the killing, was arrested in Canada in June 2025.
The dismissal of Baba Siddique's bodyguard underscores the serious consequences of security lapses in cases involving high-risk individuals. As investigators continue to pursue the wider criminal conspiracy spanning multiple countries, the case remains a stark reminder of the reach of organized crime and the accountability expected from those entrusted with public safety.
About The Author
Comment List