Lawrence Bishnoi: Gangster Lawrence’s Threats to Salman Khan Rekindle Poaching Case Controversy | Jaipur News

JODHPUR: Latest life threats against film star Salman Khan by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi have revived focus on the unresolved poaching cases against Khan from 1998. The extended dispute also highlights the Bishnoi community‘s frustration over the prolonged delay in delivering justice. The latest death threat against Khan is a continuation of similar threats made by Lawrence since 2018.The initial threat was issued three months before Khan’s sentencing on April 5, 2018, for allegedly poaching black bucks at Kankani village near Jodhpur.
Lawrence had been brought to Jodhpur from Punjab’s Faridkot jail related to a shooting incident at the premises of a doctor and a travel company owner on March 17, 2017. This shooting was perceived as part of Lawrence’s extortion activities in Jodhpur, marking his foray into Rajasthan. Lawrence’s associates later murdered the owner of an electronic showroom, Vasudev Israni, who had resisted their threats.
Speaking to the media in police presence while being escorted to court, Lawrence had declared, “I was in student politics and not in the crime. Police purposefully declared me a criminal by naming me in several cases. I have not done anything till now but will do now and kill Salman Khan here in Jodhpur itself.”
Since that time, Khan has faced recurring threats from Lawrence and his associates. There have even been attempts on Khan’s life in Mumbai allegedly by Lawrence’s gang members.
It is believed that through these threats, Lawrence seeks to garner support from the Bishnoi community, which holds trees and wildlife in deep reverence. The community wants a conclusive resolution to the poaching cases against Khan, which are still under various legal proceedings.
The Bishnoi community, however, appears divided on Lawrence’s threats towards Khan. Lawrence has insisted that Khan should apologise to the community for killing antelopes by appearing at their sacred site in Mukam in Bikaner district.
National president of All India Bishnoi Mahasabha, Devendra Budia, said, “If Khan tenders apology (for poaching) at Mukam, the community may consider forgiving him for his sin.”
Contrarily, Rampal Bhawad, president of Bishnoi Tigers Van Evam Paryavaran Sansthan, advocates for pressing the state govt to ensure effective prosecution of Khan for allegedly black buck and chinkara in Jodhpur villages in 1998. The actor was then camping in Jodhpur for the filming of ‘Hum Sath Sath Hain’.
Lawrence’s demand for an apology from Khan has garnered support not only from Budia, but also from the Bishnoi community’s religious leader Lal Das. “Lawrence is a kid. He is not giving any threat. The enmity between Khan and Lawrence is on the issue of poaching of antelopes. Khan has done a heinous crime. We want him to come among us and tender an apology,” said the religious leader.
The threats from Lawrence have caused delays in the pending poaching and arms Act cases against Khan. During a Sept 1999 hearing regarding Khan’s appeal against his April 2018 sentence, his lawyer requested an exemption for Khan from appearing in court due to these life threats.
Bhawad criticised this request for exemption, describing it as an attempt to influence the proceedings of the poaching cases. He emphasised the need for the prosecution to argue strongly.