Siddique, the former Maharashtra minister known for his starry iftar parties and Bollywood connections, was gunned down on October 12 outside his MLA son Zeeshan Siddique’s Mumbai office.

According to police, Siddique may have been targeted by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi because of his proximity to Khan.

On Saturday’s Weekend ka Vaar episode of “Bigg Boss 18”, on which the actor serves as the host, Khan said he wanted to give the popular reality series a miss.

“Yaar, qasam khuda ki what all I am going through in my life and I have to come and handle this (arguments between housemates)… I feel that I shouldn’t have come here today. But you have to do what you have to do,” Khan can be seen saying as per several videos circulating on social media.

“Mere par bhi bahut saare laanchan lagaye gaye hain (I have been accused of many things). I know what my parents go through,” he added in another clip.

It could not be immediately confirmed whether this episode was filmed before or after Siddique’s killing.

Though Khan didn’t share a post condoling Siddique’s passing on social media, he visited the slain politician’s Bandra residence last Sunday hours before his burial service.

The Mumbai traffic police received a threat message demanding Rs 5 crore from the Bollywood actor, following which the Crime Branch began a probe an official said on Friday.

A case was registered at Worli police under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for threat and extortion after the city’s traffic control room received the message on its WhatsApp helpline on Thursday afternoon, he said.

Khan had earlier received death threats from the Bishnoi gang whose members had also opened fire outside the actor’s Bandra home in April.

The Indian team management informed shortly before resumption of play on Friday that Pant will remain away from action.

“Mr Rishabh Pant will not keep wickets on Day 3. The BCCI Medical Team is monitoring his progress,” the statement said.

Pant was hit on his right knee in the 37th over of New Zealand’s innings when a delivery from Ravindra Jadeja spun sharply inwards and hit his right knee with Devon Conway at the strike.

The wicketkeeper-batter had to leave the field and captain Rohit Sharma informed after the end of play that there was some swelling and the team did not want to take any risks.

He was replaced by Dhruv Jurel for the remainder of the play.

Pant had undergone multiple surgeries on the right knee after that horrific car accident in December 2022.

“Unfortunately, the ball hit straight on his knee cap, the same leg which he has done a surgery. So, he has got a little bit of swelling on it and the muscles are quite tender at this point of time,” Rohit told media on Thursday.

“It is a precautionary measure. We do not want to take a risk. Rishabh does not want to take a risk because he has gone through a massive surgery on that particular leg,” he said.

“So, that was the reason for him to go inside. Hopefully, tonight he can recover and we will see him back on the field tomorrow,” added Rohit.

Yahya Sinwar death news live updates: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said late Thursday that the killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar was the “beginning of the end” of the war in Gaza. He, however, clarified, that the war will not end until the remaining 97 hostages in Hamas custody since October 7, 2023, are returned.

The Israeli military said that after a lengthy hunt, troops had on Wednesday “eliminated Yahya Sinwar, the leader of the Hamas terrorist organisation, in an operation in the southern Gaza Strip”. Hamas has not confirmed his death or made any statement yet.

Sinwar was believed the mastermind behind the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, after which conflict between Israel and Gaza escalated.

Sinwar’s death is the latest in a series of Israeli offensives against top commanders of Hamas and Hezbollah, causing major damage to the militant organisations.

The United States has said that Sinwar’s death was a positive sign for ceasefire talks, as he had been a roadblock to the mediation process.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on May 30, 2022 on money laundering charge due to four companies allegedly linked to him. 

“Considering the delay in trial and long incarceration of 18 months, and the fact that trial will take long to start, let alone conclude, the accused is favourably suited for the relief,”PTI quoted Special Judge Vishal Gogne as saying.

Back to work
According to India Today, Salman shot for an episode of Bigg Boss 18 late on Thursday night. He arrived on the set with heavy security. As per a source, Salman stayed at his chalet within the premises to ensure his safety ahead of the scheduled call time on Friday.

Salman’s filming schedule will continue uninterrupted, despite the heightened security concerns. To ensure his safety, the actor’s team is working closely with production and channel officials to coordinate his movements.

Several stringent security measures have been implemented on set, with over 60 personnel deployed to safeguard the area. In fact, access to the compound has also been restricted. The guards have been told to check theAadhar card before allowing any individual inside the compound.

In addition to this, the Bigg Boss 18 crew has been asked to remain on-site until the shoot ends. Salman shoots for weekend specials, Weekend Ka Vaar episodes, as a host of the show.

Fresh threats against Salman Khan
Earlier in the day it was reported that a threatening message was received on a WhatsApp number of Mumbai Traffic Police, in which ₹5 crore was demanded from Salman.