MUMBAI: Days after three assailants shot at former minister Baba Siddique who later died at the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai, the revelation about another celebrity being targeted by a criminal gang led by jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi has come to light. According to police sources, stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui has allegedly received threats from Bishnoi, and according to local intelligence inputs, he has been on his hit list for some time.  

Considering the likely threat perception, Faruqui has been provided with police cover and round-the-clock security in view of local inputs about the possible attack on his life, although the stand-up comedian has not approached the police with any complaint as yet. 

Faruqui, who is known for his bold and often controversial comedy, has previously faced backlash for his remarks on Hindu gods from groups claiming that he hurt their sentiments during his shows, however, Faruqui has firmly denied this. 

This has reportedly angered the Bishnoi gang, leading to the recent threats. It has been revealed that shooters from the gang came very close to attacking him in Delhi when the gang members booked a room at the same hotel where Faruqui was staying in Delhi, but the attack was foiled thanks to timely intervention by intelligence agencies and Delhi police. 

On Saturday when Siddique was attacked by three sharpshooters in Mumbai, on the same day the Delhi Police nabbed a shooter allegedly linked to the murder of a gym owner in South Delhi last month, who was attacked by both the Bishnoi gang.

Police sources say that interrogation of the apprehended shooters has revealed that the gangster's hitlist has several celebrities as targets which also includes Bollywood actor Salman Khan, who has been receiving death threats from Bishnoi over the blackbuck poaching case.

Faruqui, who recently won Bigg Boss 17 and is currently hosting a gaming show, continues to perform under the watchful eyes of the police.