Salman Khan attack, Baba Siddique murder: Will Mumbai Police finally get hold of Anmol Bishnoi?
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Sadaf Modak
Mumbai Police has requested Central government intervention to secure custody of gangster Anmol Bishnoi from Tihar Jail. This move aims to advance investigations into the high-profile murders of Baba Siddique and attacks on Salman Khan.
The Escalating Crisis of Organized Crime in Mumbai
The recent request by the Mumbai Police for the Central government to intervene in the custody of gangster Anmol Bishnoi marks a significant turning point in the city's battle against organized crime. For years, Mumbai has grappled with the resurgence of underworld influence, but the direct targeting of high-profile public figures—namely the 2024 attack on actor Salman Khan’s Bandra residence and the subsequent assassination of former minister Baba Siddique—has brought this issue to a critical breaking point.
The Legal and Logistical Impasse
At the heart of the current stalemate is a December 5, 2025, order that currently prevents Anmol Bishnoi from being transferred out of Delhi’s Tihar Jail. This administrative barrier has effectively insulated the accused from the jurisdictional reach of the Mumbai Police, who view him as the primary mastermind behind the killing of Baba Siddique. By seeking a temporary withdrawal or relaxation of this order, law enforcement is attempting to bypass federal bureaucratic hurdles that have historically slowed down cross-state criminal investigations.
Implications of the Mastermind Theory
Investigative agencies have explicitly named Anmol Bishnoi as a wanted accused and the architect behind the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique. The necessity of his presence in Mumbai is underscored by the impending start of the trial for other co-accused individuals. Without access to the alleged mastermind, the prosecution risks creating a fragmented case that may fail to fully account for the chain of command and the broader conspiracy that facilitated the attack.
Historical Context and Security Challenges
The shift in tactics by the Mumbai Police reflects the evolving nature of the Bishnoi gang's operations, which have increasingly utilized terror-like tactics to exert influence in the city. The audacity of targeting both a global film icon and a seasoned politician suggests a level of coordination that transcends traditional local gang warfare. This has forced the state government to coordinate directly with the Union Home Ministry to ensure that the legal process is not hindered by inter-state jurisdictional limitations.
Future Trends in Law Enforcement Cooperation
Looking ahead, this development signals a likely trend toward more robust federal-state cooperation in handling high-stakes criminal investigations. If the Centre grants the request, it will set a precedent for how the state handles detainees held in high-security central facilities. The success of the upcoming trial for the Siddique murder case will largely depend on the police's ability to consolidate their evidence, making the transfer of Anmol Bishnoi a central pillar of their legal strategy moving forward.