Shooters were paid to threaten Salman, not kill him: Mumbai Crime Branch

The duo allegedly received a large payment to carry out the shooting, and had been keeping tabs on the actor for days

Two men in their twenties have been arrested in connection with the shooting outside Bollywood superstar Salman Khan’s apartment, according to reports in Indian media. 

On Thursday, four days after the incident, Vicky Gupta, 24, and Sagar Pal, 21, were detained, reported Times of India. According to police sources, both Vicky and Sagar were allegedly offered INR400,000 to carry out the shooting, with an initial payment of INR100,000 provided upfront. The intended objective, as stated by Mumbai Crime Branch officials, was not to carry out murder, but to cause “terror”. 

Indian media reported that in addition to the two arrests, the statements of both families have been recorded in Bihar. With the investigation still ongoing, A Mumbai Crime Branch official told news agency ANI, “Around 7 people have been called from Haryana and other states for questioning.” 

Meanwhile, Hindustan Times reported that the two men had been keeping tabs on the actor’s Panvel farmhouse four days before the shooting. The actor has been known to visit his farmhouse often, which is located some 60 kilometres outside Mumbai. Speaking to news agency PTI, police added that two persons had delivered a pistol to the rented house of the accused 25 days prior to the shooting. According to the investigation, Vicky rode the motorcycle as Sagar allegedly fired the shots at Salman building. Sagar had reportedly undergone training at his village in West Champaran in Bihar some time in mid-March. In addition to arresting both Vicky and Sagar, police have also apprehended Vicky’s brother Sonu,19. 

Previously, there had been speculation that Amnal Bishoi, brother of notorious incarcerated gangster Lawrence, had been involved. The speculation arose after police found a Facebook post by Amnal claiming responsibility. An investigation traced the post back to Portugal, leading police to suspect that a VPN was used. However, Amnal has not been named as an accused in connection with the shooting. 

Following the incident, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde met with Salman and vowed to finish the Bishnoi gang. Speaking to reporters, Eknath stated, “There is no gang (war) in Mumbai. The underworld has no (place) in Mumbai. This is Maharashtra, this is Mumbai. We will finish this (Lawrence) Bishnoi (gang) so that no one dares to do such a thing.” 

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