Lawrence Bishnoi's hit list: Bollywood stars, politicians, rival gang members targeted

Lawrence Bishnoi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has revealed a chilling hit-list compiled by notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, currently imprisoned in Gujarat's Sabarmati jail. Bishnoi, who has been in the spotlight for orchestrating the murder of NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, has a long list of individuals marked for assassination. This includes Bollywood celebrities, politicians, and rivals in the underworld.

Expanding crime empire

Bishnoi’s gang, reportedly 700 members strong, is gaining influence, with law enforcement agencies attributing various high-profile crimes to the group. His crime syndicate was involved in an attempt on the life of Bollywood superstar Salman Khan earlier this year. Goldy Brar, an associate of Bishnoi, has claimed responsibility for the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala as well. According to a senior Delhi police official, Bishnoi's gang is now extending its operations beyond targeting Salman Khan and aiming to take over Bollywood, an area once controlled by Dawood Ibrahim, by creating its own 'D-Company.'

Key targets on Bishnoi's hit-list

• Salman Khan: The Bollywood actor has been at the top of Bishnoi’s hit-list ever since his involvement in the blackbuck poaching case, an animal revered by the Bishnoi community. Bishnoi's associate, Sampat Nehra, was dispatched to track Khan’s movements. However, Nehra was arrested before any harm could be done. Another attempt to assassinate Khan in April 2024 failed when police intervened, forcing the would-be gunmen to flee. Khan remains a top target for the gang, with continued threats on his life.

• Zeeshan Siddique: The MLA and son of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, who was murdered on Dussehra night, is also a target of Bishnoi’s gang. Zeeshan was reportedly a part of the attack that led to his father's death, according to the arrested gunmen Dharmaraj Kashyap and Gurmail Singh. Police investigations revealed a social media post that threatened, “Anyone supporting Salman Khan and the Dawood gang should settle their accounts,” directly implicating the Siddique family in the feud.

• Munawar Faruqui: The stand-up comedian has also found himself on Bishnoi's hit-list. Faruqui was targeted during a wedding event in Delhi, where intelligence agencies received prior warnings and managed to move him to safety. He was relocated to Mumbai under increased protection after the attempted attack. Faruqui’s outspoken persona has made him a target for several extremist groups, including Bishnoi's gang.

• Shaganpreet Singh: Shaganpreet, the former manager of slain Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, is also on Bishnoi's list. Bishnoi blames Shaganpreet for allegedly sheltering the killers of Vicky Middukhera, a close ally of Bishnoi, who was murdered in Mohali in 2021. This has put Singh in Bishnoi’s crosshairs as he seeks revenge for Middukhera’s death.

• Kaushal Chaudhary: A key figure in the rival Bambiha gang, Kaushal Chaudhary is another individual marked by Bishnoi. Chaudhary has been accused of supplying weapons to the killers of Bishnoi’s close associate, Vicky Middukhera. The ongoing rivalry between the Bishnoi and Bambiha gangs has escalated violence in the region, and Chaudhary is a prime target for Bishnoi’s crew.

• Amit Dagar: Closely aligned with Kaushal Chaudhary, Amit Dagar has also earned a spot on Bishnoi’s hit-list. Dagar’s involvement in the murder of Middukhera has made him a direct enemy of Bishnoi, and he is now facing the wrath of the gangster’s criminal network.