Ten days after gunshots were fired outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s residence at Juhu in Bombay on February 1, actor Ranveer Singh was learnt to have received a threat from the underworld, accompanied by a demand for several crores of rupees. The threat was reportedly sent as a WhatsApp voice message from an unidentified number to the actor’s secretary. The sender claimed to be speaking on behalf of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
The police said, security around Ranveer’s residence was increased after the threat.
In a related development, the managing committee of the residential tower in which Ranveer and wife Deepika Padukone stay, approached the Dadar police station in Bombay about the deployment of six armed private security guards and a uniformed police officer at the flat occupied by them, without seeking the permission of the society. The committee expressed concern over the movement of armed guards in common areas of the bulding, such as the lobby, gymnasium and children’s play area, citing safety and discomfort among residents.
It is believed that Ranveer Singh was not the only target of the underworld. At least 10-15 Bollywood personalities have allegedly received threat calls purportedly in the name of the Bishnoi gang. No formal complaints or FIRs were registered so far by any of the threatened celebrities. Most of the stars have blocked unknown numbers or stopped answering suspicious calls.
