News Mania Desk /Agnibeena Ghosh/18 April 2024
In a dramatic turn of events, authorities have apprehended two individuals linked to a notorious criminal gang allegedly involved in a shooting incident targeting Bollywood icon Salman Khan’s residence. The incident, believed to be in retaliation for Khan’s involvement in the killing of two blackbucks decades ago, underscores the ongoing feud between the actor and the criminal syndicate known as the Bishnoi gang.
The Bishnoi gang, notorious for its involvement in multiple murders and extortion activities, hails from a desert-based religious sect that reveres the blackbuck species as the reincarnation of their spiritual leader. Khan, now 58, first drew the ire of the group in 1998 when he was implicated in the shooting of two blackbucks during a recreational hunting expedition.The incarcerated leader of the Bishnoi gang, Lawrence Bishnoi, has previously issued threats against Khan, including veiled warnings of potential assassination attempts. The recent shooting incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, when two assailants on a motorbike fired shots at Khan’s first-floor apartment in the upscale Mumbai neighborhood of Bandra before fleeing the scene.
Despite being under constant police protection due to persistent threats to his life, Khan was present at home during the time of the attack. Following a swift and intensive investigation, authorities managed to apprehend the two suspects, aged 24 and 21, in the western state of Gujarat on Tuesday.
According to Mahendra Bagaria, a police officer from Kutch district, the suspects were located near a temple, where they were promptly apprehended by law enforcement personnel. The arrests mark a significant breakthrough in the ongoing efforts to address the security threats posed by the Bishnoi gang.
The animosity between Khan and the Bishnoi gang dates back over two decades, with the community pursuing legal action against the actor for his involvement in the blackbuck shooting incident. In 2018, Khan was convicted by a local court and sentenced to five years in prison for violating the Wildlife Protection Act.
However, Khan’s sentence was subsequently suspended on appeal, prompting Lawrence Bishnoi to issue further threats against the actor and his associates. Bishnoi, who has been implicated in numerous violent crimes, including the high-profile killing of Indian rapper Sidhu Moose Wala in 2022, has vowed to take matters into his own hands.
Despite his enduring popularity as one of Bollywood’s most prolific actors, Khan’s personal life has been mired in controversy. In 2002, he faced allegations of a hit-and-run incident in Mumbai, where he was accused of running over five individuals sleeping on a pavement, resulting in one fatality. While Khan was initially acquitted of the charges, the case has remained contentious, with ongoing legal proceedings challenging his acquittal.
As the investigation into the recent shooting incident unfolds, authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to ensure the safety and security of Salman Khan and other individuals targeted by criminal elements.
