Crime Branch sources have revealed that the accused who fired gunshots outside Salman Khan’s house in Bandra’s Galaxy Apartments on April 14, carried out the attack for “media coverage and publicity”. Their motive was to spread terror, sources added.
The accused, Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21), both residents of Champaran in Bihar, were arrested from Gujarat’s Bhuj on April 16 and were flown down to Mumbai.
“Accused Sagar Pal was influenced by the gangster lifestyle and to fulfil his dream, he came in contact with the gang, and from there he got the contract of firing outside Salman Khan, the accused were told that it was a big job and they would get good money,” Mumbai Police said.
Anmol Bishnoi, younger brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, claimed responsibility for the firing outside Salman Khan’s house through a Facebook post following the attack.
According to sources, the investigation revealed that Anmol Bishnoi was in contact with Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta via internet calling. The two accused were paid Rs 1 lakh in advance for the shooting and were promised to receive Rs 3 lakh more after the job was done.
According to the crime branch sources, Sagar Pal was trained to use the weapon around his village in West Champaran that was used in the attack.
During the investigation, the accused further revealed that they conducted recce of Salman Khan’s farmhouse in Panvel 4-5 days before the firing incident. However, it was decided that the firing would take place at Bandra.
“The accused conducted a ‘recce’ of Salman Khan’s farmhouse in Panvel. They intended to just scare him, not murder him. The statements of both families have been recorded in Bihar. Around 7 people have been called from Haryana and other states for questioning, which is ongoing,” a Mumbai Crime Branch official was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Sonu Gupta, brother of Vicky Gupta, has been detained by the Mumbai Crime Branch and is being interrogated in the matter. Sonu lives in Chandigarh and works as a labourer. Call records have revealed that Vicky and his brother were on calls until late at night on April 13, a day before the attack.
Crime Branch suspects that Sonu is also a part of this conspiracy, Mumbai police said.
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