The recent assassination of NCP leader Baba Siddique has placed the Lawrence Bishnoi gang in the spotlight, intensifying scrutiny of their criminal activities and potential involvement in the case. Siddique was shot outside his office in Mumbai on a Saturday night, and just a few hours after the attack, a member of the Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the murder, raising questions about the gang’s expanding influence and their ongoing operations.
As the investigation into Siddique’s murder deepens, authorities are focusing on the gang’s activities, with details emerging from previous interrogations of Lawrence Bishnoi by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). These revelations provide insights into the gang’s targets, operations, and motivations. India Today gained exclusive access to information from these NIA interrogations, shedding light on the gang’s plans and its high-profile hit list.
Lawrence Bishnoi’s Hit List
One of the most shocking revelations is that Bollywood superstar Salman Khan tops Bishnoi’s hit list. The gangster, who is currently imprisoned, harbors a deep-seated desire to seek revenge on Khan for a 1998 incident in which the actor killed a blackbuck, a species revered by the Bishnoi community. Bishnoi considers this act sacrilegious and has vowed to make Khan pay for it.
In an attempt to act on his vendetta, Bishnoi had sent his associate, Sampat Nehra, to conduct reconnaissance on Khan’s residence in Mumbai. However, the plan was thwarted when Nehra was arrested by the Haryana Police Special Task Force. Despite this setback, the threat to Khan persisted. In April 2024, gunmen targeted Khan’s home once again, firing multiple shots before fleeing the scene. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident, but it sent shockwaves through Bollywood and raised alarms about the escalating violence.
- Advertisement -
Rivalries and Vendettas
Apart from targeting high-profile individuals like Salman Khan, the Bishnoi gang is deeply entrenched in the world of gang rivalries, driven by personal vendettas and territorial disputes. One of the gang’s prime targets is notorious gangster Kaushal Chaudhary, who is currently incarcerated in a Gurugram jail. Chaudhary is associated with the Bambiha gang, a rival of the Bishnoi faction, and has been accused of supplying weapons to the killers of Vicky Middukhera, a close associate of Bishnoi.
Middukhera’s murder in August 2021 left a deep impact on Bishnoi, and he has vowed to exact revenge on those responsible for his death. Kaushal Chaudhary, being implicated in the case, is now in Bishnoi’s crosshairs. Bishnoi has reportedly expressed an intense desire to eliminate Chaudhary at any cost, further fueling the ongoing feud between their rival gangs.
Another key figure in Bishnoi’s sights is Amit Dagar, a jailed gangster who is also connected to the Middukhera murder. Dagar, a member of a rival gang and a close ally of Kaushal Chaudhary, has a history of violent crimes, including confessions to seven murders and numerous extortion cases. He was arrested in 2018 after a dramatic shootout in Gurugram. Bishnoi views Dagar as a significant threat and remains determined to eliminate him, viewing his rival gang as a serious obstacle to his criminal ambitions.
Shaganpreet Singh and the Sidhu Moose Wala Connection
Lawrence Bishnoi’s hit list also includes Shaganpreet Singh, the former manager of popular Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala, who was tragically killed in May 2022. Bishnoi holds Singh responsible for providing shelter to the killers of Vicky Middukhera, whom Bishnoi regarded as a brother figure. Moose Wala’s murder sent shockwaves across the music industry and Punjab’s criminal underworld, and the Bishnoi gang’s involvement in the case has been a subject of investigation.
Bishnoi is said to be seeking revenge on Singh, believing that by eliminating him, he can avenge Middukhera’s death. The killing of Sidhu Moose Wala also brought Goldy Brar, another associate of the Bishnoi gang, into the limelight, as he publicly claimed responsibility for the singer’s murder. The gang’s role in high-profile killings and their connections to influential figures have made them a focal point in law enforcement investigations.
- Advertisement -
Mandeep Dhariwal and the Bambiha Gang Rivalry
The ongoing rivalry between the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and the Davinder Bambiha gang continues to escalate, with Mandeep Dhariwal emerging as one of Bishnoi’s next targets. Dhariwal was an associate of Gaurav Padial, also known as Lucky Padial, a fugitive gangster and leader of the Bambiha gang. Bishnoi holds Dhariwal responsible for aiding the killers of Vicky Middukhera, which has further intensified the animosity between the two rival factions.
Dhariwal, who managed Padial’s business operations, met a violent end when he was shot dead in the Philippines. The Goldy Brar gang, a faction closely allied with Lawrence Bishnoi, claimed responsibility for the assassination, signaling the gang’s far-reaching influence and its willingness to eliminate rivals across borders. The killing of Dhariwal underscores the dangerous extent of Bishnoi’s operations, as his network extends beyond India and reaches into international territories.
A Widespread Criminal Network
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang’s extensive criminal network has grown into a formidable syndicate, with over 700 shooters operating across 11 states in India. The gang’s structure and operations have drawn comparisons to notorious underworld figures like Dawood Ibrahim, who once ruled Mumbai’s organized crime scene. The gang’s involvement in contract killings, extortion, and illegal arms trading has made them one of the most feared criminal organizations in the country.
- Advertisement -
Their influence spans multiple regions, and their ability to carry out high-profile attacks has made them a target for law enforcement agencies. The murder of Baba Siddique, which is being investigated as a contract killing, is just the latest example of the gang’s brazen violence. Siddique’s assassination on Dussehra night has further raised concerns about the growing threat posed by organized crime syndicates in India.
The Future of the Lawrence Bishnoi Gang
As the investigation into Baba Siddique’s murder progresses, the Lawrence Bishnoi gang faces increased pressure from authorities. Their involvement in numerous high-profile crimes, including the attempted assassination of Salman Khan and the killing of Sidhu Moose Wala, has placed them at the center of a nationwide crackdown on organized crime.
Lawrence Bishnoi’s reign of terror, fueled by a desire for revenge and power, has left a trail of violence and destruction. His gang’s ability to target influential figures, rival gang members, and even international associates has cemented their position as a major player in India’s criminal underworld. However, with law enforcement agencies tightening their grip and intensifying their efforts to dismantle the gang’s operations, the future of the Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate remains uncertain.
In the wake of Siddique’s assassination, the focus on Bishnoi and his network has never been greater. The gang’s involvement in contract killings, their extensive hit list, and their willingness to engage in violent confrontations have made them a significant threat to public safety. As authorities continue to investigate and pursue justice, the ultimate fate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang will depend on their ability to withstand the mounting pressure from law enforcement and rival factions.
Despite the setbacks and arrests, the gang’s far-reaching influence and their connections to other criminal organizations make them a formidable force. As investigations unfold and more details emerge, the Lawrence Bishnoi gang’s activities are likely to remain in the headlines, serving as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle between law enforcement and organized crime in India.