Mumbai Police has recorded statements of Bollywood star Salman Khan and his actor brother Arbaaz Khan in connection with the incident of firing outside the family’s residence in April, an official announced on Wednesday.
The incident, which took place in the early hours of April 14, saw two motorbike-borne assailants firing multiple rounds outside Salman Khan’s residence, Galaxy Apartments, located in Bandra, Mumbai. A four-member crime branch team revisited Galaxy Apartments on June 4 to record the statements of Salman Khan and his brother Arbaaz Khan in detail. Salman Khan’s statement was recorded for nearly four hours, while Arbaaz Khan’s was documented over a span of more than two hours, according to the official.
The police officials asked the Khan brothers approximately 150 questions as part of their investigation. This extensive inquiry aimed to gather as much information as possible regarding the incident and the threats posed against the actor’s life. Salman Khan has reportedly taken the incident very seriously. Realizing the genuine threat to his life, he has expressed his gratitude to the Mumbai Police for their diligent efforts to apprehend the culprits involved.
Salman Khan narrated the unsettling events of that night to the police. He mentioned that he was home on the day of the incident, having returned late at night. The sound of a bullet hitting his flat’s balcony abruptly woke him up. This revelation has underscored the severity of the threat, particularly considering the close proximity of the assailants to the actor’s residence.
On the other hand, Arbaaz Khan was not present at Galaxy Apartments during the firing incident as he was at his Juhu residence at the time. Nevertheless, his statement was recorded because of his awareness and understanding of the historical threats issued by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang against his brother, Salman. The police have pointed fingers at the Bishnoi gang, suggesting they were behind the firing.
The Bishnoi gang has previously issued multiple threats to Salman Khan, though there have been no attempts to extort money from the actor until now.
. Following the April 14 incident, the police arrested Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal, who are suspected to be the shooters. They were apprehended from Gujarat, and in total, six individuals were arrested concerning the case.
One of the arrested individuals, Anuj Thapan, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in police lock-up on May 1. This adds a sordid layer to an already complicated investigation.
In another related development, the Navi Mumbai Police arrested five individuals earlier this month, including an alleged member of the Bishnoi and Goldier Brar gangs from Haryana. These arrests were in connection to a plot reportedly designed to attack Salman Khan. The arrested individuals had conducted reconnaissance at Khan’s farmhouse in Panvel, locations around his home in Bandra, and places where he frequented for film shooting, according to police sources.
Meanwhile, Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently lodged in the Sabarmati Central Prison in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in a different case, has been implicated in the incident. The Mumbai Police intend to move the court to seek his custody for further interrogation. Additionally, Anmol Bishnoi, Lawrence’s brother, believed to be in Canada, has been listed as a wanted accused in the case.
This unfolding story presents a grim picture of the persistent threats faced by the Bollywood superstar. Despite the heavy security around him and his residence, the actor remains vigilant and cooperative with the law enforcement agencies. He has acknowledged not only the efforts of the Mumbai Police but also the seriousness of the threats against him, which seem far from over.
The actions of the police and the subsequent arrests indicate a rigorous ongoing investigation. However, questions about the motivations behind these threats and the extent of the danger posed to Salman Khan linger. The Bollywood fraternity and his legion of fans remain keenly interested in the developments of this high-profile case.
