Suspects In Baba Siddique Murder Originally Planned To Assassinate Salman Khan: Reports

The suspects involved in the murder of Baba Siddique had originally planned to assassinate Bollywood actor Salman Khan before targeting the NCP leader, according to a report by India Today.

During interrogation, one of the accused disclosed that Salman Khan had been a primary target but was deemed inaccessible due to stringent security measures.

Baba Siddique, 66, was fatally shot on October 12 outside the Bandra East office of his son, Zeeshan Siddique. He was rushed to Lilavati Hospital with two gunshot wounds to the chest but was pronounced dead upon arrival.

The three assailants were linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which has been known for targeting Salman Khan following allegations of his involvement in the hunting of a blackbuck, an animal considered sacred by the Bishnoi community.

Earlier this year, on April 14, two gunmen on motorcycles fired outside Salman Khan's residence in Bandra late at night. The shooters, Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal, later arrested in Gujarat, were also affiliated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

Salman Khan has faced numerous threats, including one in November, when an individual claiming to be Lawrence Bishnoi's brother demanded an apology for the alleged blackbuck killing or a payment of Rs 5 crore.

In another instance, a vegetable vendor from Jamshedpur was arrested for demanding a ransom of Rs 5 crore. Shortly after, Khan received a death threat demanding Rs 2 crore.

Additionally, Mumbai police arrested a 20-year-old man from Noida for making a threatening call to the actor.

In light of these threats, Salman Khan has been placed under Y+ security, with enhanced protective measures around his residence. High-resolution AI-enabled CCTV cameras equipped with facial recognition technology have also been installed near his home for added safety.