Salman Khan’s home shot at by gang in 20-year feud over ‘holy’ antelopes
An Indian gang has fired shots at a Bollywood actor’s home in a 20-year feud sparked by the death of two “holy” antelopes.
Salman Khan has repeatedly received death threats from Lawrence Bishnoi, a jailed gang member, ever since he killed two blackbucks in Rajasthan in 1998 while shooting the film Hum Saath-Saath Hain (We Are Together).
Bishnoi comes from a small community of the same name that considers the Indian antelope to be the reincarnation of Bhagwan Jambeshwar, their religious guru, also known as Jambaji.
The community has repeatedly pressed for legal action to be taken against Khan over the shooting.
In 2018, Khan was sentenced to five years in jail by a local court for violating a wildlife protection act but the sentence was suspended days after the film actor was sent to prison.
At the time, Bishnoi’s gang warned it would take matters into its own hands.
Two attackers identified by police as Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal – both close associates of Bishnoi – are alleged to have monitored Khan’s Mumbai house.
Lakhmi Gautam, Mumbai joint commissioner of police said: “The duo carried out a recce around Khan’s apartment three times before the incident.”
They shot five rounds at Khan’s residence. No one was injured.
The assailants were apprehended late Monday in Kutch district of Gujarat after they fled from Mumbai.
A Facebook account believed to be run by Anmol, Bishnoi’s younger brother, posted to claim responsibility for the attack.
He described the incident as a “trailer”, adding: “We have only shown you a trailer so that you understand the magnitude of our strength and do not test it. This is the first and last warning.”
Bishnoi is alleged to have been involved in multiple kidnappings and murders, including the killing of Sidhu Moose Wala, the Indian rapper, in 2022.
Why the gang has decided to retaliate now is not clear but many speculate it might be sparked by Khan’s popularity during Eid celebrations last week, when he greeted thousands of fans.
A prominent Bollywood actor with nearly 150 film and TV credits since the 1980s, Khan’s personal life has been marred by controversy. In 2002, he was involved in a late-night hit-and-run crash in Mumbai, resulting in fatalities. Despite being cleared initially, authorities have challenged his acquittal in 2016 and the case is ongoing.
