Who is Zeeshan Akhtar? Key suspect in Baba Siddique murder held in Canada; linked to Bishnoi gang
Zeeshan Akhtar has been detained in Canada in connection with the murder of NCP politician Baba Siddique. Akhtar was reportedly held on the basis of an Interpol notice and has been in Canadian police custody for over a week.
Baba Siddique, 66, was shot dead on October 12 last year outside his son's office in Bandra (East), Mumbai. Three assailants carried out the attack. His son had alleged that a builder lobby involved in a Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) project was responsible, but police ruled out this angle. Instead, their chargesheet pointed to Lawrence Bishnoi's Canada-based brother Anmol as the mastermind, linking the murder to Siddique's alleged connections with Dawood Ibrahim and actor Salman Khan.
So far, 26 people have been arrested from different parts of the country, including Pune, Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich, Haryana, Dombivli and Karjat. They include Shivkumar Gautam alias Shiva, who is accused of firing the shots. All 26 are facing charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
Who is Zeeshan Akhtar
Zeeshan Akhtar is a 22-year-old from Punjab.
He is accused of being a key conspirator in Baba Siddique's murder.
Police say Akhtar planned the killing, managed finances through more than 10 bank accounts, and coordinated with other accused.
He worked closely with jailed shooter Gurmel Singh and helped arrange weapons and shelter for the attackers.
Akhtar reportedly left Mumbai a month before the murder to avoid raising suspicion.
He is linked to the Lawrence and Anmol Bishnoi gang.
Akhtar is the second accused to be detained in Canada after Anmol Bishnoi.
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