Bollywood superstar Salman Khan and stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui are among the names that have surfaced in connection with an alleged "hit list" reportedly linked to the notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Over the past several months, reports have emerged that the gangster, currently under police custody, harbors a deep-seated grudge against certain high-profile individuals, fueling fears of targeted attacks.
Lawrence Bishnoi, a notorious figure in the Indian underworld, rose to prominence due to his alleged involvement in several criminal activities, including extortion, kidnapping, and murder. His name first grabbed national headlines when he reportedly issued a threat to Salman Khan over the blackbuck poaching case, citing the Bollywood actor’s involvement in the killing of the endangered species, which holds cultural significance for Bishnoi’s community.
The accused gunmen, Dharmaraj Kashyap and Gurmail Singh, told the police that Zeeshan Siddique, an MLA and the son of the late Baba Siddique, who was killed on Saturday, was also the target of an assassination attempt on his father. "Jo Salman Khan aur Dawood gang ki help karega apna hisab-kitab laga ke rakhna (whoever helps Salman Khan and the Dawood gang, keep your accounts in order)" was allegedly a threat directed towards the actor's close friend Baba Siddique, according to a post on social media that is under investigation by the police.
The comedian has also come under fire from Bishnoi; after two gunmen targeted him at a Delhi wedding, intelligence services stepped in and relocated him to Mumbai, where he is now safer.
The manager of the late Punjabi musician Sidhu Moosewala is also on the list because, according to Bishnoi, Shaganpreet gave the murderers of Vicky Middukhera—a close friend of his who was shot and killed in Mohali in August 2021—a place to hide.
Bishnoi's opponent and member of the infamous Bambiha gang, Kaushal Chaudhary, is high on Bishnoi's death list as he was allegedly involved in providing firearms to the Middukhera murderers. Amit Dagar, who was close to Kaushal Chaudhary, was also implicated in Middukhera's demise, which put him on Bishnoi's radar.
Law enforcement agencies across India, particularly in Mumbai and Rajasthan, are on high alert. The Mumbai police have increased security around Salman Khan’s residence in Bandra, while other prominent figures are being monitored for potential threats. Special task forces have been deployed to investigate Bishnoi’s gang activities and neutralize any immediate danger.
The Lawrence Bishnoi case highlights the persistent issue of gang violence in India and the growing influence of organized crime in targeting celebrities, businessmen, and other public figures. Despite being in custody, Bishnoi’s ability to instill fear and command loyalty from his followers presents a serious challenge for law enforcement.
