Mumbai. In a shocking turn of events, former Maharashtra minister and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) leader Baba Siddiqui was assassinated in broad daylight, raising serious concerns about the rising influence of Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang. Siddiqui, who was deeply entrenched in the real estate business and had strong ties to Bollywood, was shot outside his son Zeeshan’s office. He was hit with six bullets, three of which struck him in the stomach and chest. Despite immediate medical attention, he was declared dead at 11:27 PM at Lilavati Hospital.
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the killing, further fueling speculations about their intent to dominate Mumbai’s powerful Bollywood and builder lobbies. This has led many to question whether Lawrence is positioning himself to take over the void left by underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, especially with the similar methods of operation between the two.
Bollywood, Politics, and Real Estate: A Deadly Nexus?
Baba Siddiqui’s murder is not an isolated event. Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang has been making moves in Mumbai, targeting high-profile figures. Earlier, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan and his father Salim Khan were also threatened by the gang. Shots were even fired at Salman’s residence in an attempt to intimidate the actor, which many experts now view as part of a larger strategy to establish dominance over Mumbai’s influential networks. According to retired Mumbai police officers and senior journalists, there is little difference between the methods employed by Lawrence Bishnoi and Dawood Ibrahim. Both rely heavily on violence, intimidation, and extortion to establish control. As one retired officer remarked, “The attack on Baba Siddiqui and the threats to Salman Khan bear a striking resemblance to how Dawood used to operate in the 80s and 90s. The goal appears to be the same: to control Bollywood and the real estate sector through fear.”
A Network Spanning 12 States
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang’s operations are not limited to Mumbai. According to police reports, the gang has built a vast network that extends across 12 states in India. This includes novice and young criminals aged between 20 to 25 years, who are ready to execute orders from Lawrence for fame rather than financial gain. This marks a significant difference from Dawood’s gang, which was comprised of more mature criminals who were primarily motivated by money.
In Siddiqui’s case, police investigations have revealed that the attackers were promised ₹2.5 lakh each for the assassination, with ₹50,000 being paid upfront. Much like Dawood’s days, the hired shooters were provided weapons by a third party, a modus operandi that underscores the similarities between Lawrence’s style and that of the now-declining D-Company.
Lawrence’s Plan for Mumbai: A New Era of Terror?
Former Mumbai Police Commissioner MN Singh believes that Lawrence Bishnoi is attempting to replicate Dawood’s blueprint for power. “The NIA had recently filed a chargesheet comparing Lawrence’s gang with Dawood’s. The parallels are clear. Just as Dawood built his empire through drug smuggling, extortion, and target killings, Lawrence seems to be following in his footsteps,” Singh remarked. Lawrence’s influence now stretches beyond India. His criminal operations are believed to have spread to countries like Canada, the United States, Dubai, and Pakistan, with assistance from other notorious criminals such as Goldie Brar, Sachin Bishnoi, and Kala Jathedi. The murder of Baba Siddiqui appears to be part of Lawrence’s larger plan to expand his gang’s extortion racket in Mumbai, India’s economic capital.
The Growing Threat to Mumbai
Mumbai, once controlled by Dawood’s D-Company, is now a prime target for Lawrence Bishnoi. Experts suggest that with the weakening of Dawood’s hold on the city, new players are seeking to fill the vacuum. Crimes like extortion, smuggling, and targeted killings are on the rise, with Lawrence’s gang at the forefront. A senior Mumbai Police officer, who chose to remain anonymous, revealed that “Dawood’s gang is almost finished in Mumbai, but the crimes he popularized, such as ransom and extortion, are still very much present. Lawrence’s gang sees an opportunity here and is trying to take over.”
A Broader Conspiracy?
The recent NIA chargesheet filed against Lawrence Bishnoi and his associates paints a grim picture. It highlights how Lawrence, even from behind bars, continues to orchestrate major crimes. A notable example is the assassination of popular Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, where several gang members were in jail but managed to carry out the murder under Lawrence’s direction. With his growing network and the escalating violence in Mumbai, Lawrence Bishnoi is rapidly becoming one of the most dangerous criminals in India. As he seeks to establish his dominance, the fear is that Mumbai could once again fall under the grip of an underworld don, reminiscent of the days of Dawood Ibrahim.
