The recent social media post claiming responsibility for the firing outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty's residence has highlighted a significant shift in the modus operandi of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang in Mumbai. Unlike previous incidents where the gang cloaked their actions in purported noble causes, this latest message appears to be a straightforward attempt to intimidate Bollywood personalities directly.
A Departure from Previous Patterns
Historically, the Bishnoi gang has followed a consistent pattern in their attacks within Mumbai. They would carry out an attack, claim responsibility through a Facebook post, take a screenshot to obscure their IP address, and then share it across social media platforms. However, their recent post following the Shetty incident made no attempt to justify their actions with any noble purpose. Instead, it contained a direct warning to Bollywood to "improve while there is still time" and threatened that "whoever they have called should come to the phone and speak or they will have nowhere to hide."
Previous Incidents and Their Context
The gang's history with Bollywood, particularly actor Salman Khan, provides important context. Khan has been on their radar for years following the alleged killing of a blackbuck during a 1999 film shoot. The blackbuck is considered sacred by the Bishnoi community. In April 2024, when a firing incident occurred outside Khan's residence, Anmol Bishnoi claimed responsibility in a post that referenced underworld figures Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel.
Similarly, when NCP leader Baba Siddique was murdered outside his Bandra residence in October 2024, Shubham Lonkar posted a message linking Siddique to both Dawood and Salman Khan. Police investigations indicated this was revenge for the death of Anuj Thapan, an accused in the Salman Khan case who allegedly committed suicide in police custody.
Police Response and Official Stance
The Mumbai Police has maintained that they have not received any formal complaints about the Bishnoi gang making extortion calls to Bollywood personalities. An officer stated, "We have not received any complaints from Shetty or any Bollywood actor that they have received extortion calls." This official position stands in contrast to the gang's apparent escalation in tactics.
Potential Implications for Mumbai's Security Landscape
The specter of extortion calls has haunted Mumbai for decades, with underworld gangs from Dawood Ibrahim to Chhota Rajan previously terrorizing the city with such threats. The past two decades had seen a welcome respite as most of these gangsters were neutralized or their operations curtailed. The Bishnoi gang's apparent shift toward more direct intimidation tactics raises concerns about a potential resurgence of organized crime pressure on the entertainment industry.
Chargesheet Revelations and Investigative Insights
In chargesheets filed by Mumbai police in both the Salman Khan and Baba Siddique cases, investigators noted that the gang's motive appeared to be creating fear in the city that could later facilitate extortion activities. The recent warning to Bollywood, while not explicitly demanding money, represents the most direct communication from the gang to the entertainment industry to date.
The message's specific language about phone calls suggests the gang may have been attempting to establish communication channels with Bollywood figures, though police maintain no such complaints have been registered. This discrepancy between the gang's public statements and official police records adds complexity to understanding the current threat landscape.
As Mumbai continues to grapple with organized crime challenges, the evolution of the Bishnoi gang's tactics warrants close monitoring by law enforcement agencies. The shift from attacks justified by specific grievances to broader intimidation of an entire industry represents a concerning development in the city's ongoing battle against organized crime networks.
