Zeeshan Akhtar linked to ISI, hiding in Nepal: Mumbai crime branch in Baba Siddique murder case
Mumbai: In a major revelation, the Mumbai Crime Branch has claimed that Zeeshan Akhtar, the prime fugitive accused in the Baba Siddique murder case, is hiding in Nepal and has established links with Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI.
According to sources, the revelation came after a viral social media post asserted that Zeeshan was not affiliated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. This prompted a fresh investigation line, during which police found possible ISI involvement and Zeeshan’s alleged role in a grenade attack at BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia’s residence in Jalandhar.
Zeeshan is also suspected of collaborating with gangster Shehzad Bhatti, a known ISI operative. This is the second time his name has been linked with Bhatti. Earlier this year, Zeeshan had released a video claiming innocence in Siddique’s murder and revealed he had support from Bhatti.
Investigators say Zeeshan was named by two accused arrested in the Jalandhar attack. Intelligence suggests he may now be acting under ISI directives for anti-India operations.
A native of Jalandhar, Zeeshan was previously lodged in Patiala jail before his release in June 2024. He faces several serious charges in Punjab, including murder, robbery, and conspiracy. He also reportedly has ties with notorious gangsters such as Shubham Lonkar, Saurabh Mahakal, and suspected links to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Pakistan-based operatives.
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Organisation urges Centre to set up National Widows' Rights Commission
Mumbai (PTI): A Maharashtra-based voluntary organisation has appealed to the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development to establish an independent National Widows' Rights Commission to address "systemic and lifelong injustices".
Mahatma Phule Samaj Seva Mandal (MPSSM) said widowed women in India face social ostracisation, denial of property and inheritance rights, economic insecurity, psychological trauma, and heightened sexual vulnerability.
These issues are not adequately addressed by existing institutional mechanisms, it said.
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In its representation to the ministry, the organisation stated that despite Constitutional guarantees of equality and dignity under Articles 14, 15 and 21, there is no exclusive statutory body that focuses specifically on the unique and long-term vulnerabilities of widows.
The proposal notes that while women's commissions function at the national and state levels, their broad mandate limits focused attention on widows' issues, leading to gaps in grievance redressal, monitoring and accountability.
Calling widowed women a "structurally vulnerable group" comparable to other constitutionally recognised categories, MPSSM has proposed the creation of National and State Widows' Rights Commissions with the power to inquire into complaints, summon reports from police and administrative authorities, and make time-bound recommendations, including registration of FIRs and legal action where required.
It demanded that the commission be empowered to suggest rehabilitation measures, financial assistance schemes and amendments to existing laws, and submit annual reports to Parliament or state legislatures.
MPSSM president Pramod Zinjade said the establishment of a dedicated Widows' Rights Commission was a "constitutional necessity and moral obligation" to restore dignity, security and human rights of widowed women and to eliminate regressive social practices.
Zinjade said he has also written to the United Nations seeking the establishment of an International Widows' Rights Commission (IWRC).
He has been leading a campaign in rural Maharashtra to eradicate evil customs related to widows. Several villages have passed unanimous resolutions banning such customs.
