In his bail application, the accused asserted that authorities had falsely implicated him and that the charges against him lacked clarity and merit.
New Delhi: In a significant development in the high-profile murder case of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique, the Bombay High Court on Monday granted bail to Akashdeep Karaj Singh, marking the first instance of relief for any accused in the investigation. This comes amid ongoing probes into the Lawrence Bishnoi gang’s alleged involvement, with connections to other sensational crimes surfacing in recent months.
Details of the Bail Grant
The Bombay High Court, in a ruling by a single-judge bench presided over by Justice Neela Gokhale, approved bail for 22-year-old Akashdeep Karaj Singh, a resident of a border village in Punjab’s Fazilka district. Singh, arrested in November 2024, had his initial bail plea rejected by the sessions court on July 19, 2025. The Special Public Prosecutor, Mahesh Sule, opposed the plea, but the court found the allegations against Singh to be “vague and baseless.”
Prosecutors accuse Singh of being part of an organised crime syndicate led by wanted gangster Anmol Bishnoi and allege that he provided logistical support, including phone hotspots and calls. However, the court observed that investigators attributed no specific role to him in the murder, produced no incriminating evidence directly linking him to the crime, and failed to establish any connection with Bishnoi or active participation in the alleged conspiracy. The judge also noted that the trial is unlikely to begin anytime soon and held that continued prolonged detention would violate Singh’s fundamental rights.
Bail Conditions and Implications
The bail comes with stringent conditions: Singh must not leave Maharashtra or India without the trial court’s permission, report to Mumbai Police every alternate Monday, deposit his passport, provide a local surety, and share his contact details with the investigating officer. The court clarified that this order applies solely to Singh and does not influence the bail applications of other accused, keeping all contentions open. Violations could lead to immediate cancellation.
This is the first bail in the case, where 26 accused remain in judicial custody under MCOCA. Other pleas, such as those from Gaurav Vilas Apune (filed February 2, 2026), Chetan Pardhi, and Sumit Dinkar Wagh, are pending or reserved, with Rafik Shaikh’s rejected in December 2025.
Background of the Murder
Three assailants gunned down Baba Siddique on the night of October 12, 2024, outside his son Zeeshan’s office in Bandra East. The attack shocked Mumbai, triggered political blame games, and led to demands for enhanced security. Siddique, who had switched from the Congress to the NCP in February 2024, sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died at Lilavati Hospital.
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility, with Anmol Bishnoi named as the conspirator aiming to create fear and syndicate dominance. Zeeshan Siddique suggested probing slum redevelopment rivalries.
Key Accused and Arrests
Mumbai Police arrested 26 individuals, including shooters Gurmail Baljit Singh, Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap, and Shiv Kumar Gautam. Conspirators like Pravin and Shubham Lonkar (Pune residents) were nabbed, with Shubham still wanted. Anmol Bishnoi, deported from the US in November 2025, faces 18 cases, including this and Sidhu Moosewala’s murder.
A chargesheet was filed in January 2025, revealing a “Plan B” contingency during interrogations.
Links to Other High-Profile Crimes
The case links to the Bishnoi gang’s wider activities, including the April 2024 firing at Salman Khan’s residence and the February 1, 2026 incident at Rohit Shetty’s Juhu home, where police arrested five suspects connected to Shubham Lonkar, underscoring the gang’s influence.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Advisory
Mumbai Police continue monitoring, with Shehzeen Siddique’s plea for a court-monitored probe pending. Authorities urge the public to report suspicious activities amid heightened security concerns.