Eight jewellery traders in Nagpur woke up to a nightmare: postal letters demanding ₹10 lakh each, signed in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The threats weren't just financial; they were visceral. The letters explicitly warned of death or dismemberment if the money didn't hit accounts within strict deadlines—three days for some, five for others. Rajesh Rokde, President of the All India Jewellery Association, called it a chilling escalation.
The letters went further, referencing the recent firing incident involving actor Tiger Shroff. The senders told the traders to write ‘Jai Shri Ram’ outside their shops if they were willing to pay, claiming they would then come personally to collect the cash. It’s a tactic meant to humiliate and intimidate, turning a commercial transaction into a life-or-death gamble.
The industry has moved fast. Rokde took the matter directly to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and filed a formal complaint with the Nagpur Police Commissioner. Police have registered a case and opened an investigation to determine if these letters actually originated from Bishnoi’s gang or are a copycat attempt to siphon money during the critical pre-Diwali period.
For the traders, the fear is tangible. Nagpur’s Itwari Sarafa Bazaar is packed right now, with wedding season and Diwali driving a surge in footfall. An attack here wouldn’t just hurt the owners; it would endanger hundreds of customers in a crowded space. Traders have been advised to stay alert, while police race to trace the source of the letters before the festive rush turns into a tragedy.