The ₹25 lakh contract to assassinate Bollywood superstar Salman Khan near his Panvel farmhouse has drawn considerable attention due to its meticulous planning and the involvement of notorious figures from the underworld. This shocking conspiracy, revealed through a chargesheet filed by the Navi Mumbai Police, ties back to Lawrence Bishnoi, a gangster whose criminal network has become infamous for its violent and high-profile attacks. The chargesheet, which names five individuals involved in the plot, uncovers a multi-faceted and well-coordinated effort, blending local operatives and international arms deals.
The Origins of the Plot
The genesis of this assassination plot can be traced to the deep-seated animosity that Lawrence Bishnoi harbors against Salman Khan. Bishnoi, who has been behind bars for several years, holds a personal vendetta against Khan, primarily stemming from the actor’s involvement in the blackbuck poaching case. The blackbuck, a sacred animal to the Bishnoi community, was at the heart of a 1998 legal controversy when Khan was accused of hunting the animal during the filming of Hum Saath Saath Hain in Rajasthan. Though the actor has faced legal trials over the years and was acquitted in 2018, the incident left a lasting scar on the Bishnoi community, of which Lawrence Bishnoi is an ardent member.
Bishnoi’s gang, known for their ruthless and brazen attacks, had been plotting this assassination since mid-2023. The plan was hatched between August 2023 and April 2024, during which the gang meticulously tracked Khan’s movements. The gang’s extensive surveillance spanned across multiple locations, including Khan’s residence in Bandra, his farmhouse in Panvel, and the Goregaon Film City, where he often shoots for films and TV shows.
The Involvement of Minors and Local Operatives
One of the most disturbing aspects of the plot was the recruitment of minors by the Bishnoi gang to carry out the assassination. These young boys, many of them below 18 years of age, were trained and instructed to execute the killing. The chargesheet revealed that these minors were hiding in various locations, including Pune, Raigad, Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Gujarat, awaiting further instructions from the gang’s leaders. This use of young boys highlights the depths to which the criminal syndicate was willing to go to eliminate the actor.
The use of minors in criminal operations is not new, but in this case, it adds a chilling dimension to the plot. Law enforcement agencies have expressed concern over the gang’s ability to manipulate and control these young boys, who are often lured by promises of money or a sense of belonging. The involvement of minors complicates the legal process, as the criminal justice system must consider their age and the level of influence exerted by the gang.
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Sophisticated Arms Deal and International Links
Perhaps one of the most alarming revelations from the chargesheet is the type of weapons the gang was planning to procure for the assassination. The Bishnoi gang was reportedly in contact with international arms dealers to acquire sophisticated firearms from Pakistan. Among the weapons they sought were AK-47s, AK-92s, M16 rifles, and the Turkish-made Zigana pistol. The latter was the same type of weapon used in the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala in May 2022, which has further heightened the scrutiny on the gang’s international connections.
The gang’s access to such advanced weaponry underscores the gravity of the threat posed to Salman Khan. The acquisition of these firearms was being orchestrated by key members of the Bishnoi gang, including Goldie Brar and Anmol Bishnoi, both of whom are reportedly based in North America. These individuals have been coordinating criminal activities from abroad, making it more difficult for Indian authorities to apprehend them. The involvement of foreign arms dealers also raises questions about the transnational nature of organized crime and the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in curbing the flow of illegal weapons across borders.
The Role of the Mumbai Underworld
The Mumbai underworld has a long history of involvement in the film industry, often using intimidation and violence to exert control over actors, directors, and producers. While the Bishnoi gang operates on a more national level, with its roots in North India, its collaboration with local operatives in Mumbai reveals the enduring nexus between organized crime and Bollywood. Over the years, several actors and filmmakers have been targeted by the underworld, either for extortion or personal vendettas, and Salman Khan’s case is no exception.
This particular plot to kill Khan is reminiscent of past attempts on the lives of Bollywood celebrities. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the underworld had a stranglehold on the film industry, with notorious figures like Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Rajan exerting influence. Extortion, threats, and even killings were not uncommon. While the Mumbai Police have managed to crack down on some of these operations, the Bishnoi gang’s plan to eliminate Khan suggests that the underworld’s reach remains strong.
Previous Attacks and Salman Khan’s Security
This is not the first time Salman Khan has faced threats to his life. In April 2024, the actor’s Bandra residence was the target of a shooting incident, where two individuals fired multiple rounds at his home. While no one was injured in the attack, it further underscored the need for heightened security around the actor. Following this incident, Khan was placed under ‘Y’ plus category security, which includes personal security officers and police escorts for his movements.
The police and anti-extortion cell have been on high alert since then, and several arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. Among those arrested were Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal, two key operatives from Gujarat who were involved in the attack. Their apprehension provided crucial leads in the investigation, which eventually led to the discovery of the ₹25 lakh contract issued by the Bishnoi gang.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigations
As the case progresses, legal proceedings against the accused are underway. The Navi Mumbai Police have filed a comprehensive chargesheet, detailing the involvement of each of the five named individuals. The charges range from conspiracy to murder, illegal possession of firearms, and recruitment of minors for criminal activities. Given the seriousness of the case, the trial is expected to be closely watched by both the media and the public.
The police have also intensified their efforts to track down the remaining gang members, particularly those hiding in Pune, Raigad, and other parts of Maharashtra. Special teams have been deployed to these areas to monitor and apprehend any suspects connected to the plot. Additionally, international law enforcement agencies have been roped in to assist in the investigation, particularly in tracking the movements of Goldie Brar and Anmol Bishnoi in North America.
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Salman Khan’s Public Response
Despite the constant threats to his life, Salman Khan has continued with his professional commitments. The actor is currently working on several film projects, including Sikandar, directed by AR Murugadoss, which is slated for release in 2025. Khan has remained tight-lipped about the threats, opting to maintain a low profile and rely on his legal team and the authorities to handle the situation.
Khan’s stoic response to these threats reflects his determination to not let criminal elements interfere with his life or career. However, the ongoing investigation and the revelations from the chargesheet have undoubtedly heightened the actor’s security concerns, and it is expected that his security detail will remain tight for the foreseeable future.
Conclusion
The ₹25 lakh contract to kill Salman Khan is a chilling reminder of the perils faced by high-profile individuals in India, particularly those in the entertainment industry. The involvement of a notorious gang like Lawrence Bishnoi’s, combined with their access to advanced weaponry and the recruitment of minors, underscores the complex and dangerous nature of organized crime in the country. While the authorities have made significant strides in unraveling the plot, the case serves as a stark warning about the enduring influence of the underworld and the lengths to which criminal syndicates are willing to go to achieve their objectives.
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