Following the release of his song "Tribute to Sidhu Moosewala" on May 24, 2025, Indian rapper Emiway Bantai, whose real name is Mohammad Bilal Shaikh, has reportedly received death threats and an extortion demand. The threat, which included a demand for ₹1 crore, was allegedly sent by a person claiming to be gangster Goldy Brar, an associate of the incarcerated Lawrence Bishnoi and an alleged mastermind in the 2022 murder of Sidhu Moose Wala.
According to reports, the threatening message was received on May 25 on the official mobile number of Bantai Records, Emiway's record label. The message, as stated in the FIR, warned that Emiway would be killed if the extortion money was not paid within 24 hours. The message also mentioned the names of other alleged members of Bishnoi's gang, including Rohit Godara.
Emiway's manager, Pooja Kuila, immediately filed a complaint with the NRI Coastal Police. Police have registered a case against an unidentified person under sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita related to extortion and are currently investigating the matter to ascertain the identity of the sender and the veracity of the threat. Initial investigations suggest that the phone number used to send the threat has been traced to another state.
The threat has sparked concern among Emiway's fans and the music community. Some speculate that the threat could be linked to the tribute song he released for Sidhu Moose Wala, while police are also exploring the possibility of involvement from rivals within the music industry.
Emiway Bantai is a prominent figure in the Indian hip-hop scene. He has achieved mainstream success with tracks like "Machayenge" and collaborations with international artists, garnering a large following on platforms like YouTube. He launched his own label, Bantai Records, in 2021 and has established himself as one of India's biggest independent music stars.