The threads of a criminal plot intricately woven around the Bollywood film fraternity continue to unravel as the latest arrest sheds light on a wider reconnaissance operation. The Mumbai Crime Branch, delving deeper into the recent shooting incident outside Salman Khan’s residence, has apprehended the fifth accused, Mohammad Rafiq Choudhary, from the state of Rajasthan. Choudhary’s arrest reveals chilling new details that extend beyond the initial target, implicating the homes of two other prominent Bollywood actors in the surveillance activities.
The intricate network behind this nefarious plan is believed to be orchestrated by the notoriety-infamous Vishnoi gang. Anmol Vishnoi, the brother of the infamous gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, is said to have played a pivotal role in steering the shooters involved in the operation. Anmol allegedly provided the shooters with firearms on March 15, 2024, in Panvel, along with mission-critical information including the target’s personal details, and actively encouraged them to proceed with the firing at Salman Khan’s Galaxy Apartments.
The Mumbai Crime Branch officials have pieced together a timeline leading up to the attack on April 14, which rocked the serene streets of Bandra’s upscale neighborhood. According to their findings, Choudhary conducted a thorough surveillance of Khan’s residential building on April 12, meticulously recorded it, and dispatched the video to Anmol Vishnoi. It is reported that initial hesitation shadowed the assailants, identified as Pal and Gupta, but a promise of virtue from Anmol Vishnoi reinforced their resolve to carry out the harrowing act.
This operation was months in preparation, with the Vishnoi gang sending the two shooters to Mumbai as early as October of the previous year. However, complications arose when Pal and Gupta struggled to secure accommodation in the bustling metropolis. Their persistence eventually paid off in March 2024 when they were able to rent a flat in Harigram, thanks to the assistance of a local rickshaw driver in Panvel.
As the plot took shape, financial incentives were also laid out. Reports suggest that the shooters were compensated with a sum of 3 lakh rupees for executing the planned attack. The Mumbai Crime Branch continues relentless efforts in their investigation to round up all individuals connected to this elaborate scheme.
The incident has evoked stringent measures from the Mumbai Police, leading to the invocation of the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against those embroiled in the shooting. Fugitive Anmol Bishnoi now finds himself the subject of a lookout notice, adding to the gravity of this already intense manhunt.
The Bandra episode has left the industry and its glittering denizens in a state of heightened vigilance. In a city that celebrates the fanfare of cinema, the reality of crime striking close to the lives of its silver-screen idols casts a somber shadow that the guardians of law and order in Mumbai are determined to dispel, promising to leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of justice.
While the investigation continues its course, those interested in following this unfolding narrative are encouraged to download the DNA app from the Google Play Store and stay abreast of the latest developments. The app, serving as a digital conduit, invites users to immerse themselves in the details of this case and share their feedback, as the story of the Salman Khan house firing case unfolds in real time.
