A special court in Mumbai has taken a significant step forward in the high-profile 2024 shooting case outside Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's residence. The Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) court has formally framed charges against five individuals, including the two alleged shooters, moving the case toward trial.
The Accused and Their Pleas
Judge Mahesh Jadhav framed charges against Vickykumar Gupta, Sagarkumar Pal, Sonukumar Bishnoi, Rafiq Sardar Choudhari, and Harpal Singh after all five defendants pleaded not guilty to the allegations. The accused are currently in judicial custody as the legal proceedings advance.
The court documents reveal that gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, his brother Anmol Bishnoi, and Ravtaram Swami have been identified as wanted accused in this case. While Lawrence Bishnoi is currently incarcerated in an Ahmedabad jail, his brother Anmol was recently deported from the United States and remains in National Investigation Agency (NIA) custody for a separate case.
The April 14 Shooting Incident
The case stems from the alarming incident that occurred in the early hours of April 14, 2024, when two motorcycle-borne individuals allegedly opened fire outside Galaxy Apartment in Bandra, the renowned actor's residence. According to the charges, Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal were the two men who carried out the shooting.
Tragically, the case saw another development when Anujkumar Thapan, who had also been arrested in connection with the shooting, allegedly died by suicide while in police custody.
Organized Crime Syndicate Exposed
The charge order provides disturbing details about the organized nature of the criminal conspiracy. According to the court documents, all the arrested accused, along with the absconding individuals, were active participants in a criminal conspiracy and functioned as members of an organized crime syndicate operating under the leadership of Lawrence Bishnoi.
The court found that the accused shared a common objective to commit an illegal act – specifically, the murder of Salman Khan using firearms. The charge order states their intention was to create terror among Mumbai citizens and establish their criminal supremacy in the city.
The investigation revealed a well-coordinated operation where Rafiq Sardar Choudhari conducted reconnaissance of Salman Khan's house, and Harpal Singh subsequently relayed this collected information to the wanted accused. The court documents further allege that Sonukumar Bishnoi provided weapons and ammunition to Gupta and Pal, who then executed the shooting at the actor's residence with the clear intention to kill him.
Legal Charges and Proceedings
Each of the accused now faces multiple charges under the Indian Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy and attempt to murder, along with relevant provisions of the stringent MCOCA legislation. The court has ordered that all accused persons should face trial for these serious offenses.
The framing of charges marks a crucial phase in the judicial process, as the trial officially commences following this development. The case has drawn significant public attention due to both the high-profile nature of the target and the serious allegations of organized crime involvement.
As the legal proceedings move forward, the Mumbai police and prosecution team will present evidence to establish the alleged conspiracy and the roles played by each accused in what authorities describe as a carefully planned attack on one of India's most recognizable celebrities.
