The Mumbai crime branch apprehended a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang from Rajasthan for allegedly providing financial assistance to the shooters involved in the gunfire outside Bollywood superstar Salman Khan‘s residence, officials disclosed on Tuesday.
The individual in question has been identified as Mohammed Rafique Chowdhary (37), as per an official statement. He becomes the fifth individual arrested in connection with the shooting incident.
The Incident
On April 14, two assailants on motorcycles discharged firearms outside Khan’s residence at the Galaxy Apartment in Mumbai’s Bandra locality before swiftly fleeing the scene.
According to the official, Chowdhary’s involvement surfaced during the interrogation of previously apprehended suspects. He has been identified as a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and was in direct communication with the alleged shooters – Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta.
Chowdhary purportedly furnished financial backing to Pal and Gupta to procure a motorcycle and secure accommodation. Additionally, he allegedly conducted surveillance around Khan’s residence on more than five occasions.
Preceding the shooting, Chowdhary purportedly traveled to Panvel in neighboring Navi Mumbai and stayed with Pal and Gupta, providing logistical assistance to the accused individuals throughout the planning phase of the shooting.
The Arrest
Upon receiving specific intelligence regarding Chowdhary’s whereabouts, a crime branch team was dispatched to Rajasthan, resulting in his arrest from Nagaur district.
To date, Mumbai police have apprehended five individuals in connection with the shooting incident outside Khan’s residence. Anuj Thapan, one of the detainees accused of supplying weapons to the shooters, was found deceased in a police lock-up on May 1, allegedly by suicide.
Lawrence Bishnoi, presently incarcerated at Sabarmati Central Prison in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and his younger brother Anmol Bishnoi, believed to be residing in the United States or Canada, have been implicated in the firing case.
