Who is Lawrence Bishnoi and Why is He Threatening Salman Khan?

Lawrence Bishnoi has become a well-known name in India, especially after his threats against Bollywood superstar Salman Khan. But who is he, and why is he making these threats?

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Early Life of Lawrence Bishnoi

Born: 12th February 1993 in a village in Ferozpur, Punjab.
Family: His father was a police constable in Haryana Police but left the force in 1997 to become a farmer.

Lawrence Bishnoi grew up in Punjab and studied in Abohar until the 12th grade. In 2010, he moved to Chandigarh to join DAV College. There, he got involved in student politics and met Goldy Brar, another key figure in his life. This friendship and their involvement in university politics led them down a path of crime.

Journey into Crime

Bishnoi’s entry into the world of crime began during his time at Punjab University, where he completed his LLB (law degree). Between 2010 and 2012, several criminal cases were registered against him, including:

Attempt to murder
Trespassing
Assault
Robbery

Out of seven FIRs filed against him, he was acquitted in four. However, his criminal activities didn’t stop there. Bishnoi built alliances with local criminals and arms dealers, gaining notoriety for his involvement in murders, including that of a government college election winner in Muktsar. By 2013, he was already a feared figure.

Building a Criminal Empire

Gang Size: Bishnoi’s gang is said to have more than 700 shooters across the country.
Operations: His gang is involved in arms smuggling, liquor dealing, and providing protection to other criminals. Despite being imprisoned, Bishnoi has managed to maintain control over his gang from jail.

One of the key moments in Bishnoi’s criminal journey was his armed encounter with Rajasthan Police in 2014. Even though he was imprisoned, he used his time behind bars to strengthen his network, operating from various jails with the help of some prison staff. He formed connections with other notorious criminals, like Jaswinder Singh (Rocky), and continued to expand his reach.

Bishnoi’s Threats Against Salman Khan

Lawrence Bishnoi first gained widespread attention in 2018 when his associate, Sampath Nehra, was sent to conduct a recce of Salman Khan’s residence. The reason behind this? Salman Khan’s involvement in the infamous Black Buck hunting case.

The Bishnoi community, to which Lawrence belongs, considers blackbucks sacred. Bishnoi felt that Salman needed to pay for his role in the blackbuck incident. Nehra, who was tasked with killing Salman, was arrested before he could carry out the assassination. However, Bishnoi continued to issue threats, even during his court appearance in Jodhpur, where he openly said, “Salman Khan will be killed here in Jodhpur.”

Recent Incidents Involving Bishnoi’s Gang

Sidhu Moosewala’s Murder (2022):

Lawrence Bishnoi’s name surfaced again when Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala was shot dead. Goldy Brar, Bishnoi’s close associate, claimed responsibility for the killing, saying it was carried out in collaboration with Bishnoi.
Salman Khan’s Home Attack (2023):
In April 2023, gunshots were fired outside Salman Khan’s Bandra residence. Mumbai Police believe that the shooters were hired by Bishnoi’s gang.
Baba Siddique’s Murder (2024):

Right-wing leader Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi and NCP leader Baba Siddique were both shot dead in separate incidents, and Bishnoi’s gang has been linked to these murders. The Mumbai Police identified a man named Shubham Lonkar as a key conspirator who had claimed Bishnoi’s gang was responsible for Siddique’s murder.

Salman Khan’s Heightened Security

Following Baba Siddique’s murder, Salman Khan’s security was upgraded to Y+ category, given the growing threats from Bishnoi’s gang. According to India Today:

Salman Khan is now accompanied by police escort cars whenever he steps out.
A specially trained constable, capable of using all types of weapons, follows him.
His personal security has also been increased, and he was advised not to entertain any visitors for several weeks.

Despite these precautions, a close family friend revealed that Salman has not stopped visitors from coming to his home. However, the family is being more cautious. Salman also made it a point to stand by Baba Siddique’s family during their time of grief, even though he arrived at Siddique’s residence under tight security.

Salim Khan’s Safety Measures

Salman’s father, Salim Khan, who goes for a morning walk in Bandra every day, has also been advised to exercise caution. Additionally, Salman’s Panvel farmhouse has seen heightened security, although the actor is currently spending more time in Mumbai.

Bishnoi’s Continued Threats

Even after multiple incidents, Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang continues to pose a significant threat to Salman Khan. However, the actor has shown solidarity with the families affected by Bishnoi’s violence, including Baba Siddique’s. Despite the risk, Salman Khan was seen leaving Siddique’s residence visibly emotional, surrounded by a strong police presence.