Bollywood star Salman Khan reportedly informed the Mumbai crime branch that the recent gunfire outside his Mumbai residence was allegedly orchestrated by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi in an attempt to assassinate him and his family.
According to India Today, the Mumbai crime branch filed a 1,735-page chargesheet in July 2024 detailing threats received by actor Salman Khan and his family, including Salim Khan and Helen, from gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
Salman Khan reportedly instructed his family members to remain "alert at all times" due to ongoing threats, as stated in the chargesheet cited by India Today.
Salman Khan has implicated Lawrence Bishnoi and his gang in the firing incident at his residence, citing previous threats and attacks targeting him and his family.
"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. There had been attempts to hurt me and my family prior to this as well. 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," the police said in the chargesheet, as per the India Today report.
“Earlier also, Lawrence Bishnoi and his gang members in an interview talked about killing me and my relatives. So, I believe that Lawrence Bishnoi, with the help of his gang members, carried out the firing incident when my family members were sleeping inside and planning to kill me and my family members so they carried out the attack,” India Today reported, quoting the chargesheet filed in Salman Khan house firing incident.
In earlier incidents, Khan's father, Salim Khan, found a threatening letter on a bench opposite Galaxy Apartments in Mumbai in 2022.
This was followed by an email threat to Salman Khan's employee in March 2023.
Additionally, two individuals attempted to trespass at Salman Khan's Panvel farmhouse in January 2024. They were later identified as hailing from Bishnoi's village in Rajasthan.
On April 14, Salman Khan's residence was targeted in a shooting incident by two motorcycle-borne assailants. Following the attack, Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal, suspected shooters, were apprehended in Gujarat. The police investigation led to the arrest of six individuals, although one, Anuj Thapan, reportedly died by suicide in police custody on May 1.
Authorities have filed a case against 17 individuals, including Lawrence Bishnoi and his brother Anmol Bishnoi, in connection with the firing. Lawrence Bishnoi is currently incarcerated at Ahmedabad's Sabarmati prison.
Salman Khan became a target of Lawrence Bishnoi's gang following his involvement in the 1998 Blackbuck killing case during the shooting of the film 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' in 1999. Khan was accused of hunting a blackbuck in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
The Bishnoi community reveres blackbucks as the reincarnations of their spiritual leader Bhagwan Jambeshwar, leading to heightened tensions and legal repercussions for the actor.
Devendra Budiya, President of the All India Bishnoi Society, suggested that Bollywood actor Salman Khan could seek forgiveness from the community for his involvement in the 1998 Blackbuck killing case.
Budiya mentioned that if Khan visits their temple and expresses regret, along with pledging to protect wildlife and the environment, the community may consider forgiving him.
Salman Khan has been provided with 'Y' plus security by the Mumbai Police.
