Mumbai will not move towards gang wars: says CM Fadnavis on attacks on celebrities

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that celebrities in Mumbai need not panic over the recent shooting incident outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s house. He was responding to a question raised by Shiv Sena UBT MLC in the Legislative Council on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. “Security measures have been taken. I guarantee that Mumbai will not move towards gang wars, so I appeal to celebrities not to be afraid,” he said.

A series of high-profile sackings in Mumbai between 2024 and 2026, involving actor Salman Khan, politician Baba Siddique and filmmaker Rohit Shetty, have been linked by the Mumbai police to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang. Police in Salman Khan’s case arrested at least three people in April 2024; In the Baba Siddik murder case, the court charged 27 defendants; In February 2026, at least 13 arrests were made in the Rohit Shetty case. Police noted that in all cases there was a pattern of intimidation and organized criminal activity.

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On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, Shiv Sena UBT leader Sachin Ahir expressed concern on the floor of the house.

Mr. Fadnavis said that the prime accused’s brother, Shubham Lonkar, who has links with the Bishnoi gang, has been arrested and the police are also making efforts to arrest Lonkar, who is from Akola and has a history of threatening political leaders. He also said, “Anmol Bishnoi, another accused in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), will also be detained and brought to Mumbai.”