The investigation into the murder of former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique has taken a complex turn, with authorities struggling to obtain the custody of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently incarcerated in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Central Jail. Bishnoi’s gang has claimed responsibility for Siddique’s murder, and three suspects arrested in connection with the case have identified themselves as members of his criminal organization.
Despite Bishnoi’s alleged involvement in several high-profile crimes, including the recent shooting incident outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s residence, the Mumbai Police have faced multiple setbacks in their attempts to bring him into their custody. Courts have denied several petitions filed by the police, primarily due to an order from the Union Home Ministry restricting the transfer of Bishnoi from Sabarmati Jail. This directive, issued under Section 268(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), aims to maintain law and order by limiting the movement of high-profile prisoners. Originally set to expire in August 2024, this restriction has now been extended.
Bishnoi was transferred from Delhi’s Tihar Jail to Sabarmati Jail in August 2023 while facing charges related to a drug smuggling case. Known for his extensive criminal background, including claims of responsibility for the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala, Bishnoi continues to exert influence over his gang, which is reportedly directed by three wanted criminals residing abroad: his brother Anmol Bishnoi, Goldie Brar, and Rohit Godar.
The ongoing investigation into Baba Siddique’s murder has revealed that two suspects arrested by the Mumbai Police recently claimed to have ties to the Bishnoi gang. Following their arrest, a social media account linked to the gang claimed responsibility for the murder, prompting police to verify the authenticity of the post and its connection to Bishnoi.
The gang’s declaration suggested that Siddique was targeted due to his close ties with Salman Khan, who has been threatened by Bishnoi’s organization since being implicated in the poaching of blackbucks, an act of cultural significance to the Bishnoi community. The post ominously warned that anyone assisting Salman Khan or “the Dawood gang” should be “prepared for consequences.”
In recent years, the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has made multiple threats against Khan, including a chilling handwritten note sent in June 2022, warning the actor that he could face a fate similar to that of Sidhu Moose Wala. The Mumbai Police are intensifying their efforts to investigate the links between Bishnoi’s gang and the ongoing violence targeting Bollywood personalities, but without access to Bishnoi himself, the challenges they face are formidable.
