Baba Siddique murder: Why Lawrence Bishnoi threatened Salman Khan

Bollywood actor Salman Khan, despite receiving death threats from Lawrence Bishnoi gang, visited former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique’s house in Mumbai and paid his last respects to the NCP leader, who was shot dead in Bandra East on Saturday (October 12).

Following Siddique’s murder, security has been tightened at Salman’s house in Mumbai.

According to Mumbai Police, they were verifying a social media post in which an alleged member of the Bishnoi gang had taken responsibility for the murder of Siddique.

Also read: Baba Siddique murder: All about suspected shooters, conspirators, handler

“We do not have any enmity with anyone but whoever helps Salman Khan and the Dawood (Ibrahim) gang, keep your accounts in order ('hisab-kitaab kar lena'),” Shubuu Lonkar (Shubham Rameshwar Lonkar), allegedly an associate of Lawrence Bishnoi gang, wrote in Hindi in a Facebook post.

Emotional Salman

Salman was emotional as he reached Siddique’s house on Sunday. Several Bollywood celebrities and political leaders attended Siddique’s funeral. Siddique had a close connection with Bollywood actors including Salman, Shah Rukh Khan, Sanjay Dutt and others.

Also read: Baba Siddique buried with state honours; test proves murder accused not minor

The bond between Salman and Siddique was reportedly special. The actor, after cancelling filming of TV reality show Bigg Boss 18, rushed to the Lilavati Hospital on Saturday when Siddique was admitted after being shot outside his MLA son Zeeshan Siddique’s office, at Kher Nagar in Mumbai’s Bandra area.

Iftar parties

Siddique, a prominent Muslim leader from Mumbai, had represented Bandra (West) seat three times (1999, 2004 and 2009) in the Maharashtra Assembly. He was a minister of state for food and civil supplies, labour and FDA in the state government (2004-08), and was also a municipal corporator for two consecutive terms.

Watch: What transpired on the night of Baba Siddique's killing? Police reveal chilling details

He has also served as the chairperson and senior vice-president of the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee and parliamentary board member of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee.

He was known to host grand Iftar parties which were attended by top Bollywood actors.

Also read: NIA carries out raids in 6 states in crackdown on Babbar Khalsa International, Lawrence Bishnoi gang

It was at an Iftar party in 2013 that Siddique managed to resolve a five-year cold war between Salman and Shah Rukh, according to multiple reports.

Why gangster Bishnoi targeted Siddique

As per Lonkar’s post on Facebook, Siddique was killed for being close to Salman. Not only Siddique, in the past too, Bishnoi gang had targeted individuals who praised or were friends with Salman.

According to an NDTV report, citing police sources, two celebrities were attacked by Bishnoi gang for being close to Salman.

In November 2023, shots were fired at popular Punjabi singer-turned-actor Gippy Grewal’s house in Vancouver, Canada, for calling Salman his brother. However, Grewal denied being friends with Salman.

Also read: Goldy Brar, accused in Moose Wala's killing, added to Canada's most wanted fugitives List

He told News18, “The producer, who backed the film ('Maujaan Hi Maujaan') invited Salman to the trailer launch. I met him there. Before that, I met him on the sets of Bigg Boss. I have no friendship with Salman Khan and the anger of it is being taken out on me. For me, it is still shocking and I am unable to process what has happened to me.”

The attack on Grewal happened after a warning to him on social media in which Bishnoi wrote, “You consider Salman Khan a brother, but now it’s time for your ‘brother’ to come and save you. This message is also for Salman Khan – don’t be in the illusion that Dawood will save you; no one can save you…”

In September this year, shots were fired outside Punjabi singer AP Dhillon’s house in Vancouver. According to reports, Bishnoi and gangster Rohit Godara claimed responsibility for the attack. They said the act was carried out reportedly after a video of Dhillon featured Salman.

Sidhu Moose Wala’s death

Bishnoi is the main suspect in Punjabi musician Sidhu Moose Wala’s murder. The 28-year-old was shot dead in May 2022 in Jawaharke village of Mansa in Punjab.

Goldy Brar, an associate of Bishnoi had claimed responsibility for Moose Wala’s killing, stating that it was carried out in association with Bishnoi, who was lodged in Tihar Jail, at the time.

Bishnoi gang fires at Salman’s home

In April 2023, there was a firing outside Salman’s residence in Bandra. Salman told police that the attack was carried out at the behest of Bishnoi.

“So, I believe that Lawrence Bishnoi, with the help of his gang members, carried out the firing incident when my family members were sleeping and (they were) planning to kill me and my family members,” Salman told Mumbai Police.

Also read: Two held in Gujarat over firing outside Salman Khan’s home

In August 2022, Salman received a firearm license for self-protection, from Mumbai Police after he was threatened by Bishnoi.

Salman’s father Salim Khan, during his morning walk in June 2022, had found a chit with the words, “Moosewala jaisa kar doonga” (You will suffer the same fate as Moosewala).” Following this security at Salman’s house was beefed up.

Why Bishnoi gang is after Salman

The Bishnoi gang wants to “kill” Salman for his alleged involvement in the killing of blackbucks in Jodhpur in 1998 during the shooting of Hum Saath Saath Hain.

The Bishnoi community is upset with Salman as it considers blackbucks as sacred.

In 2018, Bishnoi told a court, “We will kill Salman Khan in Jodhpur. Everyone will know once we take action. I have not done anything as of now, they are accusing me of crimes for no reason.”

Bishnoi is currently lodged in Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Jail in Gujarat.