Salman Khan House Firing: Cops state shooters promised Rs 4 lakh contract
PTC News Desk: In a recent development, police disclosed further details regarding the Salman Khan house firing incident, shedding light on the involvement of additional suspects. One more individual connected to the case was apprehended from Haryana late Wednesday night.
According to police sources, this individual acted as an intermediary between the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and the shooters, Vicky Gupta, 24, and Sagar Kumar Palak, 21, who are currently in police custody.
The incident unfolded on Sunday at 4:55 am when two assailants riding a motorcycle fired five rounds outside Galaxy Apartments in Mumbai's Bandra area, where the renowned actor resides. Sagar Kumar Palak, one of the prime suspects, reportedly received a firearm just hours before the attack, procured from the Bandra vicinity on the night of April 13.
However, the identity of the supplier remains elusive, as per police statements. Both Palak and Gupta hail from West Champaran in Bihar and were apprehended by Mumbai Police from a temple premises in Gujarat's Kutch district late Monday night.
Sources within the police department revealed that Palak and Gupta were allegedly enticed with a sum of Rs 4 lakh to carry out the shooting, with an initial installment of Rs 1 lakh provided in advance. Notably, the primary objective, as elucidated by Mumbai Crime Branch officials, was not to cause harm to Mr. Khan but to intimidate him.
"The accused meticulously surveyed Salman Khan's farmhouse in Panvel. Their intent was intimidation, not assassination. Statements from both families have been recorded in Bihar. Approximately seven individuals from Haryana and other regions have been summoned for interrogation, which is currently underway," stated a Mumbai Crime Branch official, as quoted by news agency ANI.
Furthermore, the Mumbai Crime Branch is slated to record Mr. Khan's statement as a witness in the ongoing investigation. Yesterday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the actor to offer reassurance and support.
"The government stands in solidarity with you, Salman Khan. Both suspects have been apprehended and will undergo thorough interrogation. We are committed to unraveling the truth behind this incident. No one will be spared. Such targeted acts will not be tolerated," Eknath Shinde affirmed to reporters outside the actor's residence.
He added, "We will not permit any gang or gang warfare. We are determined to eradicate the menace posed by Lawrence Bishnoi."
It's worth noting that last year, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) disclosed that Mr. Khan occupied the top position on a list of ten main targets marked for elimination by incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. This list was purportedly motivated by the actor's involvement in the infamous 1998 black buck hunting case, which, according to Bishnoi, offended the Bishnoi community.
- With inputs from agencies
