In a shocking turn of events, the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the murder of Baba Siddique, a prominent politician and three-time MLA, while also issuing threats against Bollywood actor Salman Khan. The gang warned that anyone assisting Khan would be targeted, following reported warning shots fired near his residence.
Siddique was shot dead on Saturday night near his son Zeeshan Siddique’s office in Bandra East. Speculation about the Bishnoi gang’s involvement quickly emerged, which was confirmed on Sunday through a Facebook post by Shibu Lonkar, an associate of the gang.
In his post, Lonkar alleged that Siddique was murdered due to his connections with India’s most wanted terrorist, Dawood Ibrahim, and his close ties to Salman Khan. Lonkar also referenced the death of Anuj Thapan, a suspect in the shooting outside Khan’s home, who died under controversial circumstances in police custody. Authorities had reported Thapan’s death as a suicide, while his family claimed he suffered torture.
Lonkar’s post included a clear warning: “We do not have any enmity with anyone, but whoever helps Salman Khan and the Dawood gang, keep your accounts in order (‘hisab-kitaab kar lena’).” Police are currently verifying the authenticity of the social media post.
Baba Siddique was well-known for hosting extravagant events, including an ‘iftar’ gathering in 2013 that famously helped resolve a longstanding rivalry between Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan. Police sources revealed that at least two celebrities have faced attacks from the Bishnoi gang due to their perceived closeness to Salman Khan since last year. Following Siddique’s shooting, Khan visited the hospital where he was admitted and later attended his residence.
The Bishnoi gang previously targeted Punjabi singer Gippy Grewal, firing shots at his home in Vancouver in November 2023, allegedly because Grewal praised Khan. Grewal clarified that he had met the actor only twice. Additionally, in September, shots were fired near the house of another Punjabi singer, AP Dhillon, in Vancouver after the release of a music video featuring Khan.
Motivation Behind the Threats
The Bishnoi gang, infamous for claiming responsibility for the murder of musician Sidhu Moose Wala in 2022, has expressed intentions to kill Salman Khan over his alleged involvement in the illegal hunting of blackbucks in Mathania, Jodhpur, during the filming of “Hum Saath Saath Hain” in September 1998. This act angered the Bishnoi community, which reveres the blackbuck. Lawrence Bishnoi has previously stated in court, “We will kill Salman Khan in Jodhpur. Everyone will know once we take action.”
Enhanced Security Measures
In response to these serious threats, security around Salman Khan’s residence, Galaxy Apartments in Bandra, has been significantly increased. A shooting incident occurred outside Khan’s home on April 14, prompting him to inform police that he believed the attack was orchestrated by the Bishnoi gang with intentions to harm him and his family.
In addition to securing Khan’s residence, authorities have heightened security in South Mumbai’s Malabar Hill, where the residences of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar are situated. Baba Siddique, a longtime Congress member, switched to Pawar’s party earlier this year. Officials confirmed that patrolling in the Malabar Hill area has been intensified, with some locations being blocked for added protection.
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