Actor Salman Khan believes that the firing outside his residence was orchestrated by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, aiming to kill him and his family. This belief was conveyed in a statement recorded by the anti-extortion cell of the Mumbai Crime Branch last month. India Today has accessed the 1,735-page chargesheet filed by the police, which includes Khan’s detailed account of the threats he has received from Bishnoi and his associates over the years. Khan has advised his family and relatives to stay vigilant.

Details of the Incident

In his statement, Khan recounted the early morning incident on April 14, when he heard a sound resembling a firecracker while he was asleep. At around 4.55 am, his police bodyguard informed him that two individuals on a bike had fired shots at the first-floor balcony of Galaxy Apartments. Khan said he learned from social media that Lawrence Bishnoi had claimed responsibility for the attack, reinforcing his belief that Bishnoi and his gang were behind the firing.

Previous Threats

Khan also detailed multiple threats from Bishnoi and his gang. In 2022, his father, Salim Khan, discovered a threatening letter on a bench opposite their apartment. In March 2023, Khan received an email from an employee in his team, which contained threats from Bishnoi. In January of the same year, two individuals attempted to trespass on Khan’s farmhouse in Panvel using fake identities. The police informed Khan that the trespassers were from Lawrence Bishnoi’s village in Rajasthan.

Security Measures and Arrests

Following these incidents, Khan has instructed his family to remain alert, and he has been provided with 'Y' plus security by the Mumbai Police. 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 in Gujarat. Six people have been arrested in connection with the case, including Anuj Thapan, who later committed suicide in police custody.

Chargesheet and Accusations

The Mumbai Police filed a chargesheet against five individuals accused of plotting to assassinate Khan, revealing that a Rs 25 lakh contract was given to kill the actor. The accused, members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, were allegedly planning to acquire modern weapons for the assassination. A case has been registered against 17 people, including Lawrence Bishnoi and his younger brother Anmol Bishnoi, who are believed to be connected to the firing. Lawrence Bishnoi is currently imprisoned in Ahmedabad's Sabarmati prison.