Why Are Celebrities Close To Salman Khan Receiving Threats From Bishnoi Gang?

For over 20 years, Salman Khan has been facing heat for the 1998 Blackbuck poaching case. The actor was found guilty of hunting a blackbuck, which is an endangered species protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. In 2018, a Jodhpur court sentenced him to five years in prison and imposed a penalty of Rs 10,000. Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabu, and Neelam Kothari, who were allegedly with Salman during the hunting, were acquitted. He was granted bail by the Jodhpur Sessions Court. In March 2022, the Rajasthan High Court granted permission to transfer two petitions from the Jodhpur District and Sessions Court to the High Court. While the case settled down over the years, the Bishnoi community, who protect the blackbuck, are still

avenging the shooting.

Who is Lawrence Bishnoi?

Since 2023,Lawrence Bishnoi, the self-proclaimed boss of the notorious Bishnoi gang, has set his target on Salman. Born as Balkaran Brar, he has been imprisoned since 2014 and faces multiple criminal charges, including those for extortion and murder. According to reports, he operates across the world with the help of over 800 sharpshooters. His gang members communicate through his Facebook account.

Threats to Salman Khan

Salman’s security was tightened after 2018, when Bishnoi's associate Sampath Nehra sent the first threat. Outside a Jodhpur court, Lawrence threatened to ‘kill’ Salman while interacting with the reporters. After Sidhu Moose Wala’s assasination in 2022, a letter was found near the actor’s residence in Bandra. It read that Salman and his father would be treated ‘like Moose Wala’. The Mumbai police tightened his security. During the wee hours of April 14, 2024, multiple rounds of gunfire were shot outside his Mumbai residence. Salman and his family escaped unhurt. The two bikers were alleged associates of Lawrence’s brother Anmol Bishnoi. After the assassination of Salman’s close friend and politician Baba Siddique, Bishnoi gang allegedly demanded Rs 5 crore from Salman or that he must apologise at the community’s temple.

As Salman’s protection remains heightened, some members of the Bishnoi gang have been targetting the superstar’s colleagues and family members. In 2025, popular Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh was threatened after meeting Khan at Bigg Boss 19 finale. Back in 2023, when Gippy Grewal’s Canada home was attacked, the Punjabi actor denied association with the Dabangg star.

Attacks on celebs close to Salman Khan

Kapil Sharma, who hosted The Kapil Sharma Show, produced by Salman, received threats from the Bishnoi gang with multiple firings at his then-newly launched cafe, The Kap’s Cafe in Canada. The actor escaped unhurt and so did the guests and staff. As the new year kicked in, the Bishnoi gang became active once again and sent a threat to Rohit Shetty by firing multiple rounds of gunfire outside his Juhu home. Salman and Rohit had confirmed the former’s entry into his copverse as Inspector Chulbul Pandey. A teaser was featured in Singham Again. Ranveer Singh, an established character of the cop thriller universe, was on the radar as per early investigation. Now, the hate isn’t only for Salman, but the entire Hindi film industry. On February 11, reports revealed that Salman’s brother-in-law, Aayush Sharma, received an email. The Bishnoi gang’s involvement in threatening the actor hasn’t been confirmed. Besides these celebrities, Salman’s lawyer has been targetted by the jailed gangster’s henchmen.

Police protection for Salman Khan

Due to constant threats, the Mumbai police upped his security. Maharashtra politicians such as Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde stepped forward to support the superstar. Instead of backing off out of fear, Salman continued fulfilling his work commitments with tight security.