The personal bodyguard of Bollywood star Salman Khan told a special court in Mumbai that the April 2024 firing outside the actor's residence was 'an attempt to kill him.' The trial began last month, with the bodyguard, who is also the complainant, deposing as the first witness.
Firing outside Galaxy Apartments
On April 14, 2024, two motorcycle-borne men opened fire outside Khan's Bandra residence, Galaxy Apartments. According to PTI, the bodyguard recounted the sequence of events, stating that he reported for his regular night shift at 7 pm on April 13. Security around the actor had been tightened at the time due to threats from gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
'At around 4 am, we heard sounds like firecrackers. I checked the CCTV and saw two persons on a bike, wearing helmets, firing towards the building,' he stated. He added that the assailants fired four to five rounds.
We immediately rushed out
'Therefore, I and the other guards immediately went outside from the main gate,' the witness said, adding that the attackers fled towards the 'I Love Bandra' point and then headed in the direction of Mehboob Studios Road. The prosecution, led by special public prosecutor Mahesh Mule, also presented CCTV footage in court showing a motorcycle arriving outside the gate, which the witness identified.
Salman Khan was inside his home
The bodyguard clarified that at the time of the incident, Salman Khan was in his bedroom on the first floor. He asserted before the court that 'the firing was an attempt to kill the actor.' During cross-examination by defence counsel Viral Babar, the witness confirmed he was inside the security cabin when he first heard the noise. He also said he had no 'personal knowledge' of the specific threats issued to the actor.
Other witnesses and accused
Another witness, a police guard, told the court that he was in the lobby during the incident and did not see the firing, but later noticed bullet shells at the spot. Police have identified the shooters as Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal, who allegedly carried out the attack.
Investigators further claimed that Mohammed Rafiq Sardar Chaudhari had conducted reconnaissance of the building two days prior, recording a video and sending it to Anmol Bishnoi, a wanted accused and brother of Lawrence Bishnoi. Gupta and Pal, along with other accused including Sonukumar Bishnoi, Mohd Rafiq Choudhary and Harpal Singh, are currently in judicial custody. Another accused, Anujkumar Thapan, allegedly died by suicide during police custody. Jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his brother Anmol Bishnoi have been named as wanted accused in the case.
