New Delhi: The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the murder of Baba Siddique. They have also issued threats to anyone who supports actor Salman Khan. The gang had previously fired warning shots near Khan’s house.
Baba Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister and three-time MLA, was shot dead on Saturday night near his son Zeeshan Siddique’s office in Bandra East. Speculation immediately arose about the Bishnoi gang’s involvement in the crime. On Sunday, the gang confirmed their role through a Facebook post by Shubuu Lonkar, believed to be linked to the Bishnoi gang.
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Although Shubham Rameshwar Lonkar is in jail, the police revealed that his brother, Pravin Lonkar, posted the claim. Pravin was arrested shortly afterward. In the post, Lonkar claimed that Siddique was killed due to his ties with Dawood Ibrahim and his connection to Salman Khan. He also referenced the death of Anuj Thapan, who died in police custody earlier this year. Thapan had been arrested for firing shots outside Salman Khan’s home.
Thapan’s death on May 1 was initially reported as a suicide. However, his family alleged that he was tortured in custody. Lonkar’s Facebook post warned that anyone helping Salman Khan or Dawood’s gang should “settle their accounts.”
Police are currently verifying the authenticity of the Facebook post.
Baba Siddique, known for hosting lavish events, had once helped resolve a five-year feud between Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan at his ‘iftar’ party in 2013.
Bishnoi gang Targeted Two Celebs
The Bishnoi gang has targeted at least two celebrities in the past year due to their perceived closeness to Salman Khan. Khan visited Siddique in the hospital after the attack and also attended his residence on Sunday.
In November 2023, shots were fired at Punjabi singer Gippy Grewal’s house in Vancouver, Canada. The Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility, saying Grewal praised Salman Khan and treated him as a brother. Grewal denied any close association, saying he had only met Khan twice.
In September, another shooting occurred near the house of Punjabi singer AP Dhillon in Vancouver. Rohit Godara, a Bishnoi gang member, claimed responsibility for the attack. The shooting occurred after Dhillon released a music video that featured Salman Khan.
Why Salman Khan?
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang first gained national attention after claiming responsibility for the murder of musician Sidhu Moose Wala in 2022. The gang has made it clear that they want to kill Salman Khan due to his alleged involvement in killing blackbucks in 1998 during the filming of Hum Saath Saath Hain. The blackbuck is sacred to the Bishnoi community.
During a 2018 court appearance, Lawrence Bishnoi said, “We will kill Salman Khan in Jodhpur. Everyone will know once we take action.”
Heightened Security
Security around Salman Khan’s house, Galaxy Apartments in Bandra, has been increased. A firing took place near his residence on April 14, and Khan told police that he believed the Bishnoi gang was behind it. He said the attack was intended to kill him and his family.
Security has also been tightened in South Mumbai’s Malabar Hill, home to high-profile politicians like Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar. Baba Siddique had recently joined Mr. Pawar’s party earlier this year after 48 years with Congress.
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