Who is Lawrence Bishnoi? The gangster threatening Salman Khan and reportedly linked to Baba Siddique¡¯s murder

The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has made headlines for its involvement in major criminal activities, including the murder of Sidhu Moosewala and Maharashtra politician, Baba Siddique. The gang has also been linked to multiple threats against Bollywood star Salman Khan. To understand the full scope of this dangerous criminal network, it's important to look at Lawrence Bishnoi¡¯s background, his gang¡¯s operations, and the high-profile crimes they are associated with.

The Murder of Baba Siddique

The entire nation has been shocked since, Baba Siddique, a well-known politician from Maharashtra, was tragically shot dead on the night of October 12, 2024. Siddique had a long political career and was a member of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He had previously served as a state minister and was also close to several Bollywood celebrities, including Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan.

Following Siddique¡¯s murder, the investigation pointed towards the involvement of Lawrence Bishnoi's gang. A social media post allegedly linked to the gang claimed responsibility for the killing. The police are still exploring different motives, including a possible contract killing, political rivalry, or disputes over a slum rehabilitation project.

Who is Lawrence Bishnoi?

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31-year-old, Lawrence Bishnoi who is currently lodged in Ahmedabad's Sabarmati Jail is a gangster who has become infamous for his involvement in serious crimes across India. Hailing from Punjab, Bishnoi's criminal journey began during his university days at DAV College in Chandigarh, where he got involved in campus politics. It was here that he met another gangster, Goldy Brar, who would later become his close associate in the world of crime.

Lawrence Bishnoi's Personal Life and Education

Born in February 1993 in in a village in Ferozpur, Punjab, Lawrence Bishnoi was given his name due to his fair skin. In Christianity, the name Lawrence means "bright one" or "shining one". He grew up in a well-off family. His mother was a well-educated housewife, and his father, a policeman, made sure all his needs were met. After completing his schooling he went to Chandigarh to pursue higher education.

For those unfamiliar, his father worked in the Haryana Police for five years before turning to farming.

Interest in Sports

As a child, Lawrence showed a keen interest in sports, especially Kabaddi. His parents believed he would become a sportsman, but they had no idea that their son would eventually become known as a notorious criminal.

The Incident That Changed His Life

Lawrence's life took a different turn when he moved to Chandigarh for higher education. He enrolled in DAV College, Sector-10, to pursue a BA. However, he didn¡¯t pass his first-year exams after being caught cheating. It is said that he grabbed his answer sheet and jumped out of a window. Lawrence later pursued a law degree from Punjab University.

In 2011, he joined the Students¡¯ Union of Panjab University (SOPU) but lost the election. This defeat affected him deeply, and he bought a revolver and fired shots at Uday, the winning candidate. This marked his first brush with the law and began his descent into a life of crime.

In 2012, he became the president of the union and got connected with Punjab-based gangster Amandeep Singh (Happy) Deora, which marked the start of his journey into organised crime. Bishnoi became involved in various crimes like assault, robbery, and trespassing, with multiple FIRs filed against him, mostly linked to student politics.

Lawrence Bishnoi's gang quickly grew, with members spread across Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and even overseas. His gang began extorting money from the liquor mafia. Despite his criminal activities, his followers still regard him as a patriot.

Lawrence Bishnoi's Love Story

According to a report from News18 Hindi, Lawrence Bishnoi developed a crush on a classmate, and their feelings grew into mutual love when they both started attending DAV College in Chandigarh for their higher studies. They began going to the same college together. While at DAV College, Lawrence got involved in student politics and founded the Student Organisation of Punjab University (SOPU). However, his plans hit a setback when he lost the student union presidential election to a rival group. This loss made him angry, and he ended up getting a revolver to establish his power in college politics, as mentioned in the News18 Hindi report.

Tensions rose after the college elections in 2011, leading to violent clashes between Lawrence Bishnoi¡¯s group and their opponents. In a tragic incident, the rival faction allegedly attacked Lawrence Bishnoi¡¯s girlfriend, reportedly setting her on fire. After her death, Lawrence Bishnoi is said to have sought revenge on several student leaders.

Lawrence Bishnoi's Crimes and Criminal Operations

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Over the years, Lawrence Bishnoi's gang has been linked to numerous illegal activities, including extortion, murder, and drug trafficking. One of his most high-profile targets has been Salman Khan. Bishnoi reportedly ordered multiple attempts on Khan's life, primarily due to Khan's involvement in the Black Buck poaching case. In fact, in 2018, Bishnoi issued a public threat to the actor, stating that he would be killed in Jodhpur.

Bishnoi's criminal activities aren't limited to threats against celebrities. His gang is also involved in liquor trafficking, arms smuggling, and other organised crime across northern India, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.

The Connection to Sidhu Moosewala's Murder

Lawrence Bishnoi's name surfaced again in 2022 after the murder of popular Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. Moosewala was shot dead in Punjab, and Goldy Brar, a known associate of Bishnoi, claimed responsibility for the attack. Even though Bishnoi was in jail at the time, his involvement was undeniable, and this brought further scrutiny to his gang. He was also involved in the murder of 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.

Salman Khan: A Constant Target

Salman Khan has faced numerous threats from Lawrence Bishnoi's gang over the years. In 2023, there was another attempt on Khan's life when gunmen fired shots outside his Mumbai residence. Investigations revealed that the Bishnoi gang had plotted to assassinate Khan, with plans to acquire sophisticated firearms from Pakistan for the attack.

The Lawrence Bishnoi Gang

The Lawrence Bishnoi gang is one of the most dangerous criminal organisations operating in India today. Despite being in prison, Bishnoi continues to run his gang's operations through communication apps like Signal and Telegram, using mobile phones and VPNs to avoid detection, as reported in NDTV. His influence extends across India and even internationally, with strong connections in countries like Canada, where his associate Goldy Brar is based.

How Lawrence Bishnoi Operates

The Bishnoi gang operates like a highly organised criminal network in many states across the country, including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Delhi. With around 700 shooters at their disposal, the gang works with local criminals, hiring shooters for contract killings. Often, the young men recruited for these jobs are unaware of who they are working for or the full extent of their tasks. The gang¡¯s operations are sophisticated, with separate teams managing logistics, legal matters, and intelligence gathering.

Bishnoi¡¯s connections to pro-Khalistan groups and his gang¡¯s involvement in politically motivated crimes have made him a figure of concern for Indian law enforcement agencies. Despite being imprisoned, his network remains active and continues to carry out crimes across the country.

Here are some of the most well-known individuals on Lawrence Bishnoi's hit list:

• Salman Khan: Lawrence Bishnoi, also known as Balkaran Barar, was only five years old when the infamous blackbuck poaching incident involving actor Salman Khan took place in Rajasthan in 1998. This occurred during the filming of the movie "Hum Saath-Saath Hain." The Bishnoi community, who regard the blackbuck as sacred, were deeply offended by the poaching. This event had a lasting impact on the young Lawrence Bishnoi, who later became a notorious gangster.
• Munawar Faruqui: Last month, the Lawrence Bishnoi gang attempted to kill Mumbai-based stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui in Delhi. However, the attack was prevented due to quick action by intelligence agencies. The comedian was escorted back under police protection, according to a source.
• Zeeshan Siddique: The gang also targeted Baba Siddique's son, Zeeshan Siddique. The shooters who killed the NCP leader Baba Siddique revealed that their orders were to eliminate both Baba and Zeeshan, and they were told to shoot anyone they encountered. Before the incident, Zeeshan had received threats.
• Shaganpreet Singh: Shaganpreet Singh, who managed the career of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, is reportedly on the Bishnoi gang's hit list. Lawrence Bishnoi allegedly believes that Singh helped protect those involved in the killing of his close associate, Vicky Middukhera, who was murdered in Mohali in August 2021.

Lawrence Bishnoi has cemented his reputation as one of India¡¯s most dangerous criminals. His gang's involvement in high-profile murders, threats against celebrities like Salman Khan, and connections to international crime networks highlight the serious nature of his criminal empire. As investigations continue into the murder of Baba Siddique, Bishnoi's name remains central to the story of organised crime in India today.