The Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Zeeshan Siddique on Tuesday alleged that the Mumbai Police have taken a “casual” approach in the investigation into the murder of his father, Baba Siddique, reported the PTI.

Talking to PTI after his meeting with DCP Crime Branch Raj Tilak Roshan, the former MLA asserted that a serious probe in the case should have yielded “solid” progress within a year.

Baba Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister, was shot dead in the Bandra area on October 12, 2024.

The murder had sent shockwaves through Mumbai, as the former Maharashtra minister and influential leader was gunned down in Bandra, right outside the office of his son, Zeeshan Siddique, a sitting MLA from the Bandra (East) Constituency.

Police have arrested at least 25 persons in the case so far.

According to the police, jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi`s brother Anmol Bishnoi had given a contract to one Zeeshan Akhtar and Shubham Lonkar to carry out the murder.

Akhtar was reportedly apprehended in Canada a few months ago.

Zeeshan Siddique slammed the police, alleging procedural delays, casual tone in meetings, and reluctance to take decisive action on their part.

The NCP leader said he had regular conversations with party chief and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and expressed confidence in his continued assurances of support to secure justice for the family, according to the PTI.

Talking to reporters, Zeeshan Siddique`s lawyer Pradeep Gharat said that they have filed an appeal after receiving an RTI reply that was “unsatisfactory”, and indicated they may approach the Bombay High Court if lapses persist in the ongoing investigation.

The police have filed a more than 4500-page chargesheet before a special MCOCA court in connection with the case. It has been filed against 26 arrested accused, while three persons, namely Shubham Lonkar, Yasin Akhthar and Anmol Bishnoi, have been shown as wanted accused, the news agency reported.

All the accused have been booked under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) and are currently in judicial custody.

(with PTI inputs)

This article first appeared on Mid Day