Baba Siddique murder case: Constable, part of Zeeshan Siddique’s security, suspended after he was found missing from duty

The constable, identified as Vishal Ashok Thange, was found guilty of dereliction of duty by the inquiry, leading to his suspension earlier this week.

The suspension order stated that following the murder of Baba Siddique, the security of Zeeshan Siddique was increased due to a potential threat. “Thange, police constable, Local Arms, Naigaon, was assigned to provide personal security to Zeeshan Siddique,” an officer said.

However, as Siddique was unhappy with the security personnel deployed for him, he contacted Deputy Commissioner of Police Dikshit Gedam (Zone XI) on October 19 and “expressed dissatisfaction with the vigilance of the officers assigned to his security duty”.

Accordingly, at around 9:30 pm the same day, the Gedam visited Zeeshan’s residence in Bandra (West) to assess the situation, when he found that Thange was missing. Zeeshan was leaving his house for official purposes, and “Thange was absent from his assigned duty location”.

“This constitutes an act of irresponsibility and negligence,” the suspension order read.

A preliminary probe was conducted and Thange was suspended. “A detailed departmental inquiry has been initiated and depending on its outcome, further action will be taken against him,” an officer said.

Earlier, another head constable, Shyam Sonawane, who was providing security to Baba Siddique, was also suspended from the Mumbai police. Baba Siddique enjoyed 2+1 security, which means two security personnel during the day and one during the night. Of the two security guards, one left, leaving only one security guard, Sonawane, when the shooting took place.

In his statement, Sonawane alleged the accused set off a smoke firecracker, which blurred his vision and hindered his ability to act. Later, when Zeeshan expressed disappointment that no action had been taken against Sonawane, he was suspended from the force on October 18.

The Mumbai crime branch, which is probing Baba Siddique’s murder case, has arrested 15 persons, including two shooters.