Threat to ex-MLA Zeeshan Siddique: Mumbai crime branch takes over probe

The Mumbai Police Crime Branch on Thursday took over the investigation into the death threat emails received by former city legislator Zeeshan Siddique, an officer said, according to news agency PTI.

The case, registered at Bandra Police Station, was transferred to the Anti-Extortion Cell (AEC) of the crime branch, he added. Earlier this week, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader received emails threatening to kill him.

The development comes six months after his father and former Maharashtra Minister Baba Siddique was murdered on October 12. The sender claimed that he was a member of the ‘D-Company’ – the gang controlled by fugitive criminal Dawood Ibrahim – and demanded Rs 10 crore from him. The sender also threatened that if the former legislator did not cough up the amount, he would meet the same fate as his father.

After receiving reminder emails from the sender every six hours, Zeeshan Siddique approached police on Monday and a case was registered.

The server from which emails were sent was traced to a country near the United States, the officer said.

“I got a threat via mail from D-company, as mentioned at the end of the mail, they demanded a ransom of Rs 10 crore. The police have taken the details and recorded the statement. Our family is disturbed because of this,” the NCP leader had earlier stated.

Further probe is underway, he said.

Baba Siddique was shot dead by three assailants near Zeeshan Siddique`s office in Mumbai`s Bandra on October 12, 2024.

The Lawrence Bishnoi gang had claimed responsibility for the NCP leader`s murder.

Mumbai Police`s investigation into the Baba Siddiqui murder case has revealed that the prime suspect, Akashdeep Gill, arrested in Punjab, used a labourer`s mobile hotspot to communicate with key conspirators, including mastermind Anmol Bishnoi, police said.

Gill was identified as the logistics coordinator in the murder plot orchestrated by notorious gangster Anmol Bishnoi.

Mumbai Police have arrested 26 people in Baba Siddique`s murder. Earlier this month, the Anti-Extortion Cell of the Mumbai Crime Branch submitted a 4,590-page detailed charge sheet against the 26 accused as well as the three wanted suspects in the murder case 

(With PTI inputs)