Mumbai: A special court on Wednesday rejected the bail plea of two accused, Pradeep Thombre and Salman Vohra, arrested in the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique. Both have been in custody since their arrest in 2024. Opposing the bail plea of Thombre, special public prosecutor Mahesh Mule submitted that he was knowingly a part of the criminal conspiracy, aided and abetted members of the organised crime syndicate, and transported them to a safe location at Khopoli.“The CDR analysis reveals that the location (cell ID) of the applicant was traced to the same area where the applicant, along with co-accused, picked up other members of the syndicate from Karjat and dropped them off at Khopoli in the safe house,” the judge said.In Vohra’s instance, the prosecution submitted that the accused is alleged to have participated in an organised crime syndicate’s financial activities. Evidence indicates he transferred Rs 20,000 to another member, provided his bank passbook and SIM card, and opened a new bank account to facilitate the group’s operations. “The statement of a witness specifically mentions Salman Vohra was using bank accounts, and his mobile number is linked with it, further establishing his active participation in financial transactions and monetary activities in furtherance of the objectives of the organised crime syndicate,” Mule submitted.Siddique was gunned down on Oct 12, 2024, as he was leaving his son Zeeshan Siddique’s office in Bandra East.
