look news india
Mumbai: The shooter who opened fire outside Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's residence did not know his target until he recovered the pistol and cartridges in Panvel, a police officer said. Bihar-based shooters Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta were arrested from their mother's mausoleum in Kutch within 48 hours of the April 14 shooting outside Khan's Galaxy apartment in Bandra. He is in judicial custody till May 27.
During the interrogation of the duo, the Mumbai Police Crime Branch learned that Pal and Gupta were given the task of shooting by Anmol Bishnoi, younger brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. But they had no idea that they would have to open fire on Khan's house until they got the weapons.
According to the police officer, Pal was recruited by Ankit into the Lawrence Bishnoi gag. Pal and Ankit used to play cricket together. Later they became friends. Then he added Pal to the WhatsApp group. After a few days, Ankit told Pal about the conspiracy. For which the gang needed one more person. Then the second shooter Gupta was added to the group. Ankit asked both of them to go to Mumbai and complete the work. He promised to give a huge amount in return. On the orders of Anmol Bishnoi, who lives abroad, a person handled both the shooters.
Initially he was given Rs. 30 thousand were given. In October last year, both of them were asked to go to Mumbai and find a house on rent near Salman Khan's farmhouse in Panvel. The officer further said that Pal and Gupta came to Mumbai and stayed here for more than two months. Meanwhile he went to different places. After this the money was spent and he returned to his village in Bihar.
However, the two were contacted again by the gang in February. He was given Rs. 40 thousand rupees were demanded to buy a house on rent to live. This time he traveled about 60 km from Mumbai. Panvel has come a long way. Had taken a house on rent in Harigram area. After some time he was asked to buy a bike. For which some cash was also given by depositing it in his bank account.
A few days before the delivery of the weapons, the duo were asked to raid Salman's Bandra residence and his farmhouse in Panvel. Both Sonu Bishnoi and Anuj Thapan were given two pistols and cartridges in a rented house in Panvel. At that time they were ordered to target Khan's residence.
After this Gupta and Pal talked to Anmol Bishnoi. After this Vicky Gupta recorded the call and made an audio clip. Vicky had sent this clip to his brother Sonu Gupta. Mumbai Police took Sonu into custody. Police recorded Sonu Gupta's statement under section 164 of CrPC. The gang member had promised both the shooters a huge amount of money after the job was completed.
Accordingly, on the morning of 14 April, Gupta and Pal fled Mumbai after firing five rounds from a pistol outside Khan's house. The crime branch team arrested both of them from their mother's grave. While arms suppliers Anuj Thapan and Sonu Bishnoi were arrested from Punjab. Mohammed Rafiq Chaudhary, who provided financial support to the shooter, was arrested from Rajasthan. On the instructions of Anmol Bishnoi, Chaudhary met the shooter in Kurla on March 8. Choudhary told both of them that Anmol Bishnoi has given him a huge responsibility. There was a stir when Thapa committed suicide by hanging himself in the Mumbai Police lockup.
Even after planning the shooting in Panvel farmhouse, Salman did not come there.
Mumbai, dated 9
Shooters Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta stayed in a rented house near Salman Khan's farmhouse in Panvel for several days. He had done recce of the farm house. When Salman came to the farmhouse, he was probably going for shooting. But Salman did not come there. Hence, it is suspected that Salman's Galaxy apartment in Bandra was raided and shots were fired.