Bollywood star Salman Khan has stated that he believes the notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi orchestrated the firing incident outside his residence, aiming to kill him and his family.
This statement, recorded by the anti-extortion cell of the Mumbai Crime Branch last month, is part of a comprehensive 1,735-page chargesheet filed earlier this month.
According to the chargesheet, Khan recounted the harrowing experience in the early hours of April 14. "I heard a cracker-like sound. Then, at around 4:55 am, the police bodyguard said that two people on a bike had fired from a weapon at the Galaxy Apartment's first-floor balcony," Khan stated.
He added that prior attempts to harm him and his family had occurred and he believed the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was responsible for the recent attack.
Khan further mentioned that he learned about Bishnoi's responsibility for the attack through social media.
"I have learnt that Lawrence Bishnoi has taken responsibility for the attack from social media. So, I believe that it is the Lawrence Bishnoi gang who have carried out the firing on my balcony," his statement read.
The chargesheet also includes details of numerous threats Khan and his family have faced over the years from Bishnoi and his associates. In 2022, Salim Khan, Salman’s father, discovered a letter threatening their lives on a bench opposite their apartment.
In March 2023, an email threatening Khan and his family was received by one of his team members, prompting a case to be registered at Bandra police station. Furthermore, in January this year, two individuals attempted to trespass at Khan’s Panvel farmhouse using fake identities, a case also being registered in this regard.
The chargesheet reveals that on April 14, two bike-borne men fired multiple rounds outside Khan’s residence. Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal, alleged shooters involved in the incident, were arrested from Gujarat. The police have arrested six individuals in connection with the case, including Anuj Thapan, who later committed suicide in police custody on May 1.
The Mumbai Police have filed the chargesheet against five individuals accused of plotting to assassinate Khan. The investigation uncovered a contract worth Rs 25 lakh to kill the actor, with the accused, linked to Bishnoi’s gang, planning to acquire modern weapons for the assassination.
The police have registered cases against 17 people, including Lawrence Bishnoi and his younger brother Anmol Bishnoi, in connection with the firing incident. Lawrence Bishnoi is currently lodged in Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati prison.
Salman Khan, urging his family to remain vigilant, has been provided with 'Y' plus security by the Mumbai Police. The actor and his brother Arbaaz Khan’s statements were recorded on June 4 by a four-member crime branch team, with Salman’s statement taking nearly four hours and Arbaaz’s over two hours.
