The Mumbai Police has tightened security outside actor Salman Khan's residence in Bandra on Friday after the actor received another death threat. This comes almost a week after NCP leader and Salman Khan's close friend Baba Siddique was shot dead in Mumbai allegedly by three gunmen who claim to be from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
The message was received on the WhatsApp number of Mumbai Traffic Police. According to the Mumbai Police, the sender demanded Rs 5 crore from the actor. "Don't take it lightly, if Salman Khan wants to stay alive and wants to end the enmity with Lawrence Bishnoi, then he will have to pay Rs 5 crore. If the money is not given, Salman Khan's condition will be worse than Baba Siddique's," the message read.
The Mumbai Police said they have begun an investigation into the matter. Footage from his residence shows tightened security with police personnel being deployed near the entrance.
The actor who suspended the shooting of the reality show Bigg Boss 18 had rushed to Lilavati Hospital on hearing the death news of Baba Siddique, with whom he shared a close bond. At present, Khan is shooting for his upcoming movie Sikandar, directed by AR Murugadoss. Though there were rumours that Salman might pause his filming schedule, his manager said he would continue with his work as planned.
Salman's Khan security has been upgraded to the Y+ category after the threats. His security entourage will include police escort cars and personnel who are equipped to use firearms.
Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently in a Gujarat jail, had earlier too threatened Salman Khan. It was Khan's shooting of a blackbuck, a revered animal of the Bishnoi clan, that angered the gangster. Bishnoi had then asked Salman Khan to visit our (Bishnois') temple and apologise for hurting the sentiments of the community.
However, matters reached a tipping point in April this year when two gunmen fired bullets outside Salman's Bandra residence. They claimed to be from the Bishnoi gang who were later arrested.