Ganesh Kendale
Lawrence Bishnoi, a notorious gangster, has a hit-list that includes various prominent figures from the entertainment industry, politics, and other sectors. Despite being incarcerated for almost ten years, Bishnoi has managed to run his criminal enterprise from the confines of different prisons throughout his sentence.
Bishnoi is currently lodged in Sabarmati jail in Gujarat and is under investigation for his alleged involvement in the assassination of Baba Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader, which took place on the night of Dussehra.
Here are some of the most notable names on Lawrence Bishnoi’s hit list:
Salman Khan: Lawrence Bishnoi, also known as Balkaran Barar, was merely a child of five years old when the notorious blackbuck poaching incident involving actor Salman Khan occurred in Rajasthan in 1998. The incident took place while the movie “Hum Saath-Saath Hain” was being filmed. The Bishnoi community, which holds the blackbuck in high regard and considers it sacred, was deeply offended by the poaching case. The community’s strong reaction to the incident left a lasting impact on the young Lawrence Bishnoi, who would later become a notorious gangster.
Munawar Faruqui: The Lawrence Bishnoi gang also tried to kill Mumbai-based standup comedian Munawar Faruqui in Delhi last month. However, thanks to the prompt intervention of intelligence agencies, the planned attack was thwarted, and the comedian was safely escorted back under police protection, according to a source.
Zeeshan Siddique: Baba Siddique’s son, Zeeshan, is also a target of the gang. The shooters involved in the killing of NCP leader Baba Siddique disclosed that they had orders to eliminate both Baba and Zeeshan Siddique and were instructed to fire at anyone they encountered. Prior to the incident, Zeeshan Siddique had received threats.
Shaganpreet Singh: Shaganpreet Singh, who managed the career of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, is allegedly a target on the Bishnoi gang’s ‘hit list’. The gang’s leader, Lawrence Bishnoi, purportedly suspects that Singh provided protection to the individuals involved in the assassination of his close associate, Vicky Middukhera, who was killed in Mohali in August 2021.
Bishnoi, even while incarcerated, has managed to execute murders of several prominent people, such as Punjabi singer Siddhu Moosewala in 2022 and Karni Sena chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi in 2023. Additionally, he is accused of organizing shootings outside the homes of singers A P Dhillon and Gippy Garewal in Canada.
In September 2023, the gang also claimed responsibility for the murder of Sukha Duneke, a Khalistani sympathiser.
The Bishnoi gang’s activities span multiple states, including Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand. The gang is constantly seeking to recruit vulnerable youth into their ranks.
