Salman Khan house firing: Cops record actor’s statement

The Mumbai Crime Branch, investigating the firing incident outside Salman Khan's residence on April 14, has recorded the statements of Khan and his brother Arbaaz as part of the attempt-to-murder case. Khan stated that due to the firing and multiple threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, he fears for his and his family's lives. The crime branch has also initiated proceedings to gain custody of Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently locked up in Sabarmati Jail in Gujarat in a different case.

So far, officials have arrested five individuals involved in the firing and planning of the incident. Bishnoi and his brother are said to be the masterminds who have threatened Khan multiple times. According to the Mumbai Crime Branch, the statements of Khan and his brother Arbaaz were recorded on June 4 at their residence in Bandra. The ACP-ranked officer and his team conducted the recording, which lasted close to 6-7 hours. "The case is registered under Section 307 (attempt to murder) and several sections of the MCOCA Act. The victims' statements are crucial, and as part of the procedure, we have recorded the statements of the actor and his brother," said an officer of the Crime Branch.

The official didn't disclose what Khan said in his statements, but according to sources, Salman expressed that the continuous threats and the recent firing outside his residence, with one bullet hitting the balcony area where he stands during special occasions to greet his fans, are alarming. He fears for his and his family's lives. He also told the police that he was present inside his Galaxy apartment when the firing incident occurred. The actor claims he woke up after hearing the shots, and his security immediately informed the local police.

Khan has been on the radar of the Bishnoi gang for many years and has received multiple threats. His security was tightened and upgraded to Y-plus after the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala. According to sources, the Mumbai police have now further enhanced the actor's security, with around 70 cops posted at his residence in three different shifts. He also has an escort van when he steps out of his residence.

The Mumbai Crime Branch, which has so far arrested five accused in the case and lost one due to suicide in custody, has now initiated the process of securing custody of Lawrence. He is facing multiple cases, including murder, drug and weapon smuggling, attempted murder, and extortion, filed by the Punjab, Delhi, Gujarat, and Mumbai Police. Officials are encountering hurdles in securing his custody from Sabarmati Jail due to an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs in October last year under Section 268 (1). This section allows the state government to direct that a person or class of persons shall not be removed from prison, overriding any orders made under Section 267 (power to require attendance of prisoners).

According to the orders, he cannot be transferred from Sabarmati Jail until August 2024. The crime branch has stated that they are exploring all available legal remedies to either obtain his custody or record his statement inside Sabarmati Jail.