Jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s enmity with Salman Khan is now well known. And while multiple theories around Bishnoi’s intent do the rounds of the internet daily, his kin believes that the gangster’s anger for Salman stems out of the actor’s alleged involvement in the killing of a blackbuck in 1998. The animal is considered as sacred by the Bishnoi community.
While Salman has denied the allegations, Lawrence’s cousin claimed that the actor tried to end the matter by offering the community a ‘blank cheque’ years ago.
While speaking to news channel NDTV, Ramesh Bhishnoi, cousin of Lawrence, claimed that after the blackbuck case blew up, the actor had allegedly offered the Bishnoi community money as compensation.
He said that Salman brought an blank chequebook to meet the community leaders, asking them to fill whatever price they wanted in exchange for ending the matter. “If we were after money, we would have accepted it,” Ramesh said.
He said that the issue was not about money but based on ideology. Salmaan’s father, writer Salim Khan had alleged earlier in an interview that Lawrence Bishnoi was targetting Salman for personal monetary gain. Ramesh slammed the allegations and said, “. “Hamara khoon khol raha tha uss waqt (Our blood was boiling at that time).”
Ramesh added that Lawrence owned 110 acres of land in India and was well off not to resort to extortion of any kind.
About the blackbuck poaching case
The incident took place in Jodhpur in 1998 when Salman Khan was in the city to film Hum Saath Saath Hain. Not just Salman, but other actors including Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, and Neelam Kothari were also booked in the poaching case. The case has been ongoing for 25 years, and Salman is currently out on bail, having been convicted. The Bishnoi community, which considers blackbuck sacred, has repeatedly asked Salman to apologise for his actions.
The actor’s father, Salim Khan, while speaking to ABP recently said that there was no question of an apology as that would imply Salman is admitting to the crime. The actor has denied involvement in the poaching case throughout.
