Salman Khan in crosshairs of deadly gang threat
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the murder of Baba Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister, and issued a chilling threat to Bollywood actor Salman Khan. The gang’s warning was reportedly conveyed through a Facebook post attributed to Shubu Lonkar, an associate of the gang.
In the post, Lonkar connected Siddique’s murder to the recent suicide of Anuj Thapan, who had been in custody after firing shots outside Khan’s apartment in Mumbai on April 14. The gang framed Thapan’s death on May 1 as a consequence of Khan’s alleged involvement.
The post further suggested that Siddique’s assassination was tied to his alleged connections with notorious criminals Dawood Ibrahim and Thapan, intertwining Bollywood, politics, and property dealings.
“We did not want this war, but you made our brother lose his life,” the post stated, addressing Khan directly. “We have no personal enmity, but anyone aiding Salman Khan or the Dawood gang should be prepared for retaliation.”
While the police have not verified the authenticity of the Facebook post, they have apprehended Pravin Lonkar, Shubham’s brother, on suspicion of being a co-conspirator in Siddique’s murder. A manhunt for Shubham is currently underway.
Baba Siddique, 66, was shot by three assailants outside his son Zeeshan Siddique’s office in Kher Nagar, Bandra, on Saturday night. He was rushed to Lilavati Hospital but was declared dead upon arrival.
The crime branch reported that Pravin Lonkar and Shubham enlisted two shooters, Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap from Uttar Pradesh and Shivkumar Gautam, who is currently evading capture. Police have arrested Kashyap and another suspect, 23-year-old Gurmail Baljit Singh from Haryana.
Is Salman Khan the next target?
Salman Khan, who shared a close friendship with Siddique, rushed to the hospital on the night of the murder to support the grieving family and later visited Siddique’s home to pay his respects.
The late politician was notable in Bollywood for his extravagant Iftar parties, one of which played a significant role in reconciling Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan after a long-standing feud.
Salman Khan has been a target of the Bishnoi gang since Lawrence Bishnoi issued a threat regarding his involvement in a 1998 Blackbuck poaching case, which offended the Bishnoi community.
Earlier this year, Khan received threatening emails. On April 14, gunfire erupted outside his residence in Mumbai, leading to several arrests, including that of Anuj Thapan, who died in custody shortly after.
In light of these renewed threats from the Bishnoi gang, police are ramping up security around Salman Khan while continuing their investigation into the murder of Baba Siddique.
