Special court allows Baba Siddique’s wife to intervene in his murder case

Last month, Shehzeen Siddique filed an intervention application before the court, claiming that she had suffered “irreparable” loss and presenting the true and correct facts before the court was required.

A special court designated under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) on Saturday made Shehzeen party to the trial.

Advocates Pradip Gharat and Trivankumar Karnani representing Shehzheen argued that the “audacious attack executed in affluent and bustling neighbourhoods” has left behind grief and outrage for the deceased’s family and as his wife, it was important for her to put on record true facts to assist the court.

The lawyers said that Shehzeen Siddique, who was present during the court proceedings, has officially been made party to the case and will assist the prosecution, “marking a significant development in the legal proceedings.”

The special court “did not find much substance” in arguments on behalf of the accused that the intervention application should not be allowed as the wife was not an original complainant in the case. The court also rejected arguments that application was filed with “vested interest” and “ulterior motive” to delay release of accused on bail present case the wife was not an original complainant

Citing past Supreme Court decisions, special judge B D Shelke allowed an application and observed, “it is quite clear that the heirs of deceased are covered in the definition of victim and they have right to participate in the hearing of the matter and they are required to be given adequate opportunity of hearing.”

The police filed a chargesheet in the case in January this year, in which it named Anmol Bishnoi, brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, along with two others, as wanted accused in the case.