The Mumbai police informed a court about the potential involvement of an “international connection” in the recent shooting outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s residence.
Crime Branch
This assertion was made by the crime branch, which is currently investigating the case, as they requested an extension of custody for the two accused individuals. The court granted the extension, prolonging the custody of Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21), both hailing from Bihar, until April 29.
During the previous remand period, firearms, cartridges, and mobile phones were seized based on information provided by the accused duo. The police revealed that the accused possessed 40 cartridges, with two used for weapon testing and five discharged during the firing incident. Of the cartridges, 17 have been recovered, while the rest are still missing. The police expressed their intention to identify the source of the weapons and any financial assistance provided to the accused.
Significant technical data retrieved from the mobile phones necessitated the presence of the accused for further analysis, the police asserted, advocating for the extension of custody. They emphasized the potential international connections to the crime. Considering these factors, the police argued for the continued custody of the accused.
The Judge
Advocate Amit Mishra, representing the accused, contended that further custody was unnecessary, citing the recovery of the weapon used in the shooting and the cooperation of the accused in the investigation. After hearing both sides, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate L S Padhen extended the custody of Gupta and Pal until April 29.
Gupta and Pal allegedly fired outside Salman Khan’s residence at the Galaxy Apartment in Bandra on April 14 before escaping on a motorbike. They were apprehended on April 16 in Mata No Madh village in Gujarat’s Kutch district. The Mumbai police’s crime branch later recovered two pistols, magazines, and bullets from the Tapi river in Gujarat during a search operation. Additionally, gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his younger brother Anmol Bishnoi have been declared as “wanted accused” in the case by the Mumbai police.
So far, nine statements have been recorded by the police, including two before a magistrate under the CrPC. In a related development, two individuals were arrested in Punjab on Thursday for their involvement in the shooting. They allegedly provided two country-made pistols and cartridges to the shooters on March 15, according to a police official.
