Adv Aashuutosh Srivastava to Defend Pune Accused in Baba Siddique Murder Bail Application
Pune, 2nd February 2026: In a significant legal development in the high-profile Baba Siddique murder investigation, Gaurav Vilas Apune, one of the accused arrested from Pune, has engaged advocate Aashuutosh Srivastava to represent him in a regular bail application before the Bombay High Court.
Apune is an accused in a case registered by the DCB-CID in 2024 under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). The prosecution has alleged the existence of an organised crime syndicate led by Anmol Lovinder Bishnoi, also known by the aliases Bhaiji, AB Bhai, and Bhanu. Investigating agencies have linked the alleged syndicate to several serious crimes, including the murder of senior political leader Baba Siddique in Mumbai.
According to official records, Apune and other co-accused were arrested on November 6, 2024. He remained in police custody for 41 days until December 16, 2024, and has been in judicial custody since December 17, 2024. He is currently facing trial in MCOCA Special Case 2025 before the Special Court in Mumbai.
Defence counsel Aashuutosh Srivastava stated that the prosecution’s case against Apune is primarily based on alleged confessional statements linked to the syndicate and call detail records. He argued that there is no independent recovery or material evidence directly connecting Apune to the alleged organised crime activities or to the murder case cited by the prosecution.
Speaking on the matter, Advocate Srivastava said, “We are examining the charge sheet and relevant documents. While the investigation alleges the existence of an organised crime syndicate involved in grave offences, the law does not permit liberty to be curtailed merely on the basis of association or narrative. However, as the matter is sub judice, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”
The bail plea is expected to be taken up for hearing before the Bombay High Court in the coming days.
