Cops: Lawrence Bishnoi targeted Salman Khan to assert Mumbai dominance

MUMBAI: Jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, on the pretext of taking revenge on actor Salman Khan for hunting a blackbuck, aimed to assert his dominance in Mumbai, particularly on Bollywood, by targeting the actor, stated a chargesheet filed by city crime branch that probed the firing on his Bandra home.
On April 14, a biker and a pillion rider fired a few rounds at Khan’s balcony at Galaxy Apartment and fled.
“During our probe, it has come to light that by firing at Salman Khan’s home, the gang wanted to show they do not fear anyone. Their intention was not to harm him but create a sense of fear. And by firing at Khan, they wanted to terrorise the film indus try and extort money in the absence of other gangs in the city. To establish their supremacy, they even surveyed another mega star’s residence,” said an officer.
Cops Monday submitted the 1,736-page chargesheet before the MCOCA court against five members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang —Vikas Gupta, Sagar Pal, Harpal Singh alias Harry, Rafiq Choudhary and Banwarilal Gujar. Police have filed an abated summary against Anuj Thapan who died by suicide inside police lockup on May 1.
Last week, Navi Mumbai police had filed a chargesheet against five members of the gang in a separate case in Panvel court. Police said there is no connection between the five accused arrested by Panvel police and Mumbai police.
Police claimed to have substantial evidence, including digital and technical evidence, as well as circumstantial evidence, apart from 46 witnesses. Salman and his brother Arbaaz Khan have deposed and given statements against Bishnoi, expressing concerns about the security of their loved ones.
Two persons who are connected with the case have given confessional statements before a magistrate. Police have shown Lawrence Bishnoi, his cousin Anmol Bishnoi and Canada-based criminal Rohit Godara as wanted accused. Sources said cops are likely to take custody of Lawrence from Sabarmati jail.“Achcha kaam karoge to achcha paisa milega (if you do a good job, you will get good money),” Anmol allegedly told the shooters while hiring them from Haryana.