Mumbai

A special court in Mumbai on Tuesday framed charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other relevant laws against 27 accused in the 2024 murder case of former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique. All the accused pleaded not guilty.

Special judge Satyanarayan R. Navander framed charges under provisions of the BNS relating to murder, along with sections of MCOCA, the Arms Act and the Maharashtra Police Act.

The framing of charges marks the formal commencement of the trial under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), wherein the court crystallises the accusations based on the material placed on record by the prosecution.

Siddique (66) was shot dead by three assailants outside the office of his son, MLA Zeeshan Siddique, in Mumbai’s Bandra (East) area on the night of October 12, 2024.

Police have filed a chargesheet against 27 arrested accused in the case.

The chargesheet also names Anmol Bishnoi, brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, as a wanted accused.

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According to the prosecution, Anmol Bishnoi allegedly masterminded the conspiracy to eliminate Siddique with the objective of asserting dominance and spreading fear on behalf of an organised crime syndicate.