The alleged handler in the Baba Siddique murder case has been identified as Zeeshan Akhtar, a resident of Shakar village in the Nakodar area of Jalandhar, Punjab. Akhtar had been apprehended by the police in Jalandhar and has a history of criminal involvement. According to the police, the 24-year-old leads a gang of 22 members.

According to sources, Akhtar’s connection to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang reportedly began during his time in Patiala jail, where he met members of the group while serving time for a murder and robbery case for which he was arrested by Jalandhar police in 2022. Following his release from jail, Akhtar is believed to have travelled to Mumbai.