The Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed the Maharashtra government to take a decision within 10 days on former NCP MLA Zeeshan Siddique’s application seeking restoration of his police security cover, which was scaled down earlier this year. The court also granted liberty to Mr. Zeeshan to approach it again if aggrieved by the decision.
Mr. Zeeshan, son of former Maharashtra Minister Baba Siddique who was shot dead in October last year, alleged that his security cover was reduced soon after his mother Shehzeen Ziauddin Siddique moved the Bombay High Court seeking an independent, court-monitored investigation into her husband’s killing.
On Tuesday, Advocate General Milind Sathe appearing before a Division Bench of Justices Ajey S. Gadkari and Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale, produced a government resolution (GR) outlining the procedure for granting and reviewing security. He informed the court that Mr. Zeeshan’s letter dated November 11 requesting restoration of security would be reviewed and decided within 10 days.
The A-G explained that the Threat Perception Committee (TPC) evaluates such requests and circulates its recommendations to senior officials for approval. In Mr. Zeeshan’s case, a four-member committee, including the Mumbai Police Commissioner, had earlier decided to reduce his security. The police chief, as chairperson of the committee, exercised his discretion to avoid granting higher protection.
The court noted that the issue before it was not whether security was required, but whether the authorities had properly reviewed the situation.
Advocates Pradeep Gharat and Trivankumar Karnani, appearing for Ms. Shehzeen, said Zeeshan has been receiving threats since his father’s death. He reported an extortion threat E-mail on August 1, which was traced by the police, and further threats on April 19 and 20. After November 7, he submitted a fresh application seeking restoration of his security cover.
The court recorded that the State had delayed the security review for nearly three months. It directed the Home Department to decide on the application and communicate the decision to the petitioner within 10 days.
Published – December 16, 2025 11:57 pm IST
