Zeeshan Siddique Challenges Police Over RTI on Anmol Bishnoi Deportation in Father’s Murder Case

Swift Summary:

• Incident: Baba Siddique, former minister, was murdered in Bandra on October 12, 2024. Investigations revealed gangster Anmol Bishnoi allegedly ordered the killing.
• Arrests and Links: At least 25 arrests were made. Anmol Bishnoi is the younger brother of jailed Lawrence Bishnoi.
• RTI Application: Zeeshan Siddique filed an RTI to get details on the deportation proceedings of Anmol bishnoi, detained in Canada earlier this year following an Interpol request.
• Response from Police: The Mumbai Police denied sharing data citing exemptions under Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act (personal information).
• Appeal Filed: On August 16, Zeeshan appealed against this denial, arguing that deportation-related procedures are judicial and administrative records and should not fall under personal exemptions.
• Legal Depiction & Demands: Advocate Pradeep Gharat contended that police misapplied RTI exemptions and demanded penalties for “mala fide denial” of public information.
• Next Steps Considered by Zeeshan Siddique: Hinting dissatisfaction after his hearing before DCP Raj Tilak Roshan (first appellate authority), he signaled a possible move to approach the Bombay High Court if necessary.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

This progress highlights both legal complexities surrounding high-profile criminal cases and also recurring debates about transparency within public administration. Zeeshan Siddique has raised a valid procedural question regarding accessible judicial records versus personal data protection-a nuanced issue under India’s RTI framework.

The refusal by Mumbai Police may stem from caution over ongoing investigations or security concerns tied to Interpol processes; however, critics might interpret it as bureaucratic opacity obstructing justice-related accountability.If escalated to higher courts like Bombay High Court, this case could prompt clarification on how governance balances confidentiality with rightful access under RTI laws.

For India’s broader justice system and governance policies around extradition cases-especially involving international detention-the implications will depend largely on how appeals address legal tensions between administrative discretion and public trust in state institutions handling sensitive crime matters.

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