Mumbai Police have arrested an IT engineer in Bengaluru for allegedly sending threatening emails and audio messages to Bollywood actors while claiming to represent the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, according to the crime branch. The accused has been identified as Vaibhav Mishra.
Police said Mishra allegedly demanded crores of rupees from film personalities, including actors Ayushmann Khurrana and Tusshar Kapoor. Investigators are examining electronic devices and messages recovered from him as they try to establish whether he acted alone or had support from others.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajtilak Roshan said the arrest could help investigators determine whether the accused was independently issuing the threats or whether another person was involved. The police have not yet established the full network, if any, behind the messages.
According to police sources cited in the report, several film personalities living in Mumbai had received threatening messages in recent days. Ayushmann Khurrana allegedly received an audio message in which the sender claimed links to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and demanded Rs 2 crore.
Tusshar Kapoor had earlier received a similar audio message. The sender allegedly identified himself as Harry Boxer, a member of the Bishnoi gang, and demanded Rs 5 crore. The initial investigation indicated that the audio used for the threat could be fake, although the case remained under investigation.
The arrest comes amid heightened concern over the security of film personalities following a shooting incident involving actor Tiger Shroff on October 18. The report said the Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for that attack. Subsequently, an alleged gang member identified as Anil Pandit posted threats on social media directed at people close to actor Salman Khan.
The post reportedly demanded that Salman Khan apologise to Lawrence Bishnoi and the Bishnoi community and included threats against members of the actor’s family. Mumbai Police have been treating the recent threats seriously while examining whether the messages are connected to actual criminal networks or are attempts to intimidate and extort victims by using the name of a known gang.
The investigation will focus on the seized electronic devices, the origin of the messages, the identities of the recipients and any possible links between Mishra and other individuals. Police action and further findings will determine whether additional arrests or charges follow.
