Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch has recovered one of the guns, along with some live cartridges, used in the firing outside Bollywood superstar Salman Khan’s house from Tapi River in Surat, Gujarat, officials said on Monday.
The Crime Branch is still conducting a search along the Tapi to locate the other weapon used in the incident.
A member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang provided the guns to Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta, the suspects arrested in connection with the case, according to the police.
Both were supposed to fire outside the actor’s residence, Galaxy Apartments, but only Pal discharged his pistol, an official said.
The Mumbai Police will request custody of gangster Bishnoi, who is in custody in Tihar Jail, after collecting evidence in the case, the official said.
The accused allegedly threw both guns into the Tapi after the firing incident.
The accused carried one gun with them to their village in Bihar, where they underwent firing training. The other gun was kept in their rented flat in Panvel. The weapons were handed over to them in Panvel approximately 20 to 25 days before the firing incident.
Meanwhile, the accused reportedly received INR 1 lakh (USD 1,200) from the gang. A mediator reportedly spent a total of INR 1 lakh on both accused individuals, which included purchasing a second-hand bike for INR 24,000 (USD 288), paying the deposit and rent for a house, and arranging for the escape of the accused. The identities of those who handed over the weapons and money have not yet been established.
The police have recorded statements from eight to 10 individuals in connection with the case. Additional sections may be added to the FIR. Pal and Gupta remain in the custody of the Crime Branch until April 25.
Salman Khan likely to move permanently to Panvel farmhouse
Days after the firing incident outside his residence in Bandra, Mumbai, it has been reported that Salman Khan is ‘seriously considering’ moving to his Panvel farmhouse ‘permanently’. On April 14 (Sunday), five rounds were fired outside Salman’s Galaxy Apartment, leaving not only his family members but the entire film fraternity shocked.
According to Zoom, Salman’s close friend has said that the actor might shift permanently to Panvel.
“Bhai as it is spends a lot of time on his farm. He loves being there. It is also close to his Bigg Boss shooting location. With his safety in the city being seriously jeopardised, Bhai is looking at moving to his farmhouse in Panvel permanently,” the portal quoted Salman’s friend.
(The article is published under a mutual content partnership arrangement between The Free Press Journal and Connected to India)