Actor Ayush Sharma, brother-in-law of Bollywood star Salman Khan, has reportedly received a fresh threat from the Lawrence Bishnoi Gang. The sender of the email has claimed that he was a member of the Bishnoi Gang, police said. This comes just days after a similar extortion attempt was made against Ranveer Singh through WhatsApp.
While there was no formal complaint lodged in this regard, the Mumbai police has launched a probe. The Mumbai Crime Branch, which is probing the matter said that that email was sent using Proton mail, which is an end-to-end encrypted service, which protects the identity of the user.
The development also comes amid ongoing investigation into the firing incident that took place outside Bollywood Director Rohit Shetty's residence in Mumbai on Jan. 31. The shooting also reportedly claimed a direct connection with the Lawrence Bishnoi Gang.
Who is Lawrence Bishnoi?
Born as Balkaran Brar, Bishnoi is the leader of the gang. He has been imprisoned since 2014, on multiple charges including extortion and murder. However, he reportedly operates worldwide with the help of over 800 sharpshooters. His gang members often communicate using his social media accounts.
Why is the Bishnoi gang after Salman's close aides?
Bollywood star Salman Khan and his close associates have been repeatedly targeted by the notorious Bishnoi Gang. The conflict dates back to 1998, when Salman was found guilty in the Blackbuck poaching case. The Blackbuck is an endangered species protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The actor was sentenced to five years in prison and fined Rs 10,000 by the Jodhpur court in 2018. While other actors allegedly present during the hunt, Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre, and Neelam Kothari, were acquitted in the case. While the case has been settled over the years, the Bishnoi community, who protect the Blackbuck, want to take revenge.
Salman has been receiving such threats for years. He received the first in 2018, sent by Bishnoi's associate Sampath Nehra. In 2022, after popular Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala's assassination, a letter warning Salman of facing the same fate was discovered near his Bandra residence. In April 2024, gunshots were reported outside Salman's Mumbai residence.
After the assassination of Salman's close friend and politician Baba Siddique, the gang allegedly demanded Rs 5 crore or a public apology at a Bishnoi community temple.
Bhojpuri singer Pawan Singh, Punjabi actor Gippy Grewal, and Kapil Sharma have all faced threats in connection with Salman. Filmmaker Rohit Shetty and Actor Ranveer Singh was also targeted after gunfire outside his Juhu residence.
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