The notorious Lawrence Bishnoi, who has allegedly threatened actor Salman Khan multiple times, continues to make headlines. Recently, the brutal murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddiqui, a close associate of Salman, has been linked to Bishnoi’s gang. Mumbai Police are investigating whether the hit was carried out under Bishnoi’s orders, following a post that warned anyone supporting Salman Khan to “keep track of their accounts.” This threat is suspected to have come from Shubham Rameshwar Lonkar, an alleged gang member.
The Roots of the Feud with Salman Khan
The animosity between Bishnoi and Khan dates back to the 1998 blackbuck hunting case. During the filming of Hum Saath Saath Hain in Rajasthan, Salman Khan was accused of illegally hunting blackbucks, an animal sacred to the Bishnoi community. Although Bishnoi was only five years old at the time, the community outrage over the incident has fueled his hostility towards the Bollywood star.
In 2018, Bishnoi’s anger against Salman became public when he stated in a Jodhpur court, “We will kill Salman Khan.” Since then, Salman has reportedly received numerous threats from Bishnoi and his associates. In April 2024, two of Bishnoi’s henchmen allegedly fired shots outside Khan’s Bandra residence. Fortunately, no one was harmed, and the suspects were arrested soon after.
Expanding the Gang’s Influence into Bollywood
What started as a personal vendetta against Salman Khan appears to have evolved. According to Delhi Police sources, Bishnoi, who runs his operations from a Gujarat prison, is now eyeing Bollywood as a new area of influence. The gang allegedly aims to establish itself in an arena that was once under the control of the infamous underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim.
The Bishnoi gang’s alleged activities extend beyond India. Recently, they have taken responsibility for attacks on prominent figures in Canada, including incidents outside the homes of Punjabi singers AP Dhillon and Gippy Grewal. They have also claimed involvement in the murder of Khalistani supporter Sukha Dunake in September 2023. The gang’s objectives have expanded far beyond a vendetta against a single actor.
Bishnoi’s Growing Infamy
Despite being behind bars, Lawrence Bishnoi has built a fearsome reputation in India and beyond. According to Delhi Police, he has been linked to several high-profile murders, including that of popular Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala in 2022 and Karni Sena chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi in 2023. Bishnoi’s alleged network now spans across India and Canada, with his gang responsible for multiple acts of violence.
Though records indicate Bishnoi himself has never directly killed anyone, his gang is one of the most feared criminal networks in the country. His ability to orchestrate attacks even while imprisoned is a testament to his dangerous influence and ambition, with Bollywood now squarely in his sights.
