Suspect arrested in SRK case

A lawyer hailing from Raipur in Chhattisgarh has been taken into custody following death threats made to Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, as per The Indian Express. The threats were issued on call with the accused demanding INR5 million from the actor.

The arrest was confirmed by a senior police officer from Raipur. The 42-year-old suspect, Faizan Khan, is to be presented in front of a local court by the Mumbai police in an appeal of a transit remand. A week ago, Faizan was called before the Mumbai police during the investigation of the crime, but failed to show. The police have not yet confirmed his motives.

Last week, the threat was received by the Bandra police station in Mumbai from an anonymous individual who called himself "Hindustani". He further informed the police of his position, which he claimed was right outside Shah Rukh's residence, and threatened to murder the actor unless monetary compensation was offered.

The accused, Faizan, has denied any connection to the caller, claiming that his phone had been stolen a few days prior to the crime—on the Pathaan actor's birthday, to be precise—and was hence being framed by someone else. The suspect also filed a complaint regarding his stolen device. However, he did not comply with the police's notice that he must assist in the investigation.

A police officer also informed the press that Faizan had been involved in a petty criminal case the same year, having filed a complaint against the same actor to the Mumbai police. The issue arose due to a dialogue in Shah Rukh's 1994 film Anjaam related to deer hunting.

An FIR (First Information Report) has been registered under sections 308(4) and 351(3)(4), following the criminal intimidation incident. Security outside the 59-year-old actor's residence has also been strengthened in the wake of the threat.

The Om Shanti Om actor is not the only Bollywood superstar at the centre of such a case. Recently, Salman Khan also found himself in a predicament with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang over a song sketching a comparison between him and the gang leader. Having already been under the gang's radar for an older incident, this new threat was issued to Salman last Thursday.

The accused, Bhikha Ram, was a daily wage worker in Rajasthan and claimed to be a fan of the gangster, as reported by police to news agency PTI. Bhikha also demanded a large sum from the 58-year-old actor in exchange for sparing his life. Since the threat was received, an investigation has been underway.