Bishnoi gang denies threatening Pawan Singh after audio clip surfaces

The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has denied issuing threats to Bhojpuri actor and politician Pawan Singh, days after he alleged receiving a series of threatening calls warning him against sharing a stage with Bollywood actor Salman Khan.

Pawan Singh had filed two formal complaints with the Mumbai Police, alleging extortion threats linked to individuals claiming affiliation with the Bishnoi gang. Both complaints have been forwarded to the Anti-Extortion Cell of the Mumbai Crime Branch, which has initiated an investigation to trace the origin of the calls.

Following Singh’s allegations, an audio clip purportedly featuring gangster Hari Boxer surfaced. In the clip, Boxer denied threatening Singh and accused him of making “baseless” allegations to obtain security cover.

“We do everything openly. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has not threatened Pawan Singh,” Boxer said in the audio message, which was quoted by India Today.

However, he went on to issue a warning related to Salman Khan, saying that anyone working with the actor would be targeted directly rather than threatened. The remarks have raised serious concerns and are being examined by investigators.

Threat complaints under probe

According to reports, one of the alleged threat calls explicitly warned Pawan Singh against appearing on stage with Salman Khan, cautioning him of “serious consequences” if he went ahead. Similar messages were reportedly received by several people associated with Singh’s professional work, suggesting an attempt to intimidate him.

With the case now under formal investigation, Pawan Singh and members of his team are expected to appear before Crime Branch officials to record detailed statements. Investigators are analysing call records and tracking the digital footprint of the callers as part of the probe.

Pawan Singh had previously appeared as a contestant on the reality show Bigg Boss, which is hosted by Salman Khan.

Lawrence Bishnoi has been lodged in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Jail for several years, though authorities maintain that his network continues to operate both in India and abroad. His rivalry with Salman Khan dates back to the 1998 blackbuck poaching case.

Bishnoi’s younger brother, Anmol Bishnoi, is suspected of involvement in the firing incident outside Salman Khan’s residence in April 2024 and the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. He is currently in NIA custody following his deportation from the United States.