Bollywood Stars Face Extortion Threats from Notorious Bishnoi Gang
In a chilling escalation of criminal activities targeting India's film industry, the Mumbai police Crime Branch has launched a comprehensive investigation into extortion threats allegedly issued by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to multiple Bollywood celebrities. This development comes shortly after the shocking firing incident outside the residence of acclaimed director Rohit Shetty, signaling a disturbing pattern of organized crime infiltrating the entertainment capital.
Ranveer Singh's Staff Receives Threatening Audio Message
According to police officials, a staff member working for superstar actor Ranveer Singh recently received a menacing audio message demanding money, suspected to originate from the Bishnoi criminal syndicate. "The audio note was sent after calls from unknown numbers went unanswered," revealed a senior police officer familiar with the investigation. While no formal First Information Report has been registered yet, the matter has been officially transferred to the specialized Crime Branch unit for thorough examination.
The officer confirmed that apart from Ranveer Singh, several other prominent Bollywood personalities have reported receiving similar threats from the same criminal network. The Crime Branch has been specifically tasked with unraveling this coordinated extortion campaign that has sent shockwaves through the film community.
Connection to Rohit Shetty Shooting and Fugitive Mastermind
Investigators are exploring potential links between these extortion attempts and the recent shooting outside Rohit Shetty's residence. The Crime Branch continues its manhunt for the unidentified shooter while focusing on Shubham Lonkar, a key Bishnoi gang member believed to have masterminded both the Shetty attack and the earlier Baba Siddique murder case.
"Although the Bishnoi brothers are currently incarcerated in Indian prisons, we strongly suspect that Shubham Lonkar, who managed to escape the country, is actively orchestrating these extortion activities," the police officer disclosed. Lonkar's international fugitive status has complicated investigative efforts as he allegedly coordinates criminal operations from abroad.
Potential Links to Goldy Brar Faction Under Scrutiny
Authorities are also examining whether the Goldy Brar faction, which recently split from the main Bishnoi organization, might be connected to any of these threatening communications targeting celebrities. This internal gang division has created new dynamics in Mumbai's underworld landscape that law enforcement is working to decipher.
The officer explained the challenges investigators face: "We have provided security in cases where threatened individuals have officially approached us. However, many recipients choose not to come forward, making it difficult to monitor these situations since most threats arrive via untraceable VoIP calls."
Filling the Criminal Vacuum in Mumbai
Police intelligence suggests the Bishnoi gang is strategically attempting to fill the power vacuum left by the gradual elimination of earlier dominant criminal organizations in Mumbai, including those led by Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Rajan. This ambitious expansion into celebrity extortion represents a new frontier for the gang's criminal enterprises.
Residential Security Concerns Escalate
Meanwhile, security concerns have reached such critical levels that the managing committee of the prestigious Bea Monde residential tower in Prabhadevi, home to both Ranveer Singh and his wife Deepika Padukone, has formally approached the Dadar police station regarding armed private security personnel operating within their building.
In an official letter, society members expressed "serious concern regarding the safety and comfort of other residents" as armed guards carry firearms in common areas like the building lobby. The committee decided to formally notify authorities about this development, noting that in addition to private security, a uniformed police officer has also been stationed at the location.
The escalating security measures reflect the growing anxiety within Bollywood circles as criminal elements increasingly target high-profile figures in what appears to be a systematic extortion campaign with potentially dangerous implications for India's entertainment industry.
