Two Arrested for Firing at Bollywood Superstar’s Home in Retaliation for Wildlife Incident”
Indian police arrested two members of a notorious criminal gang on Tuesday for firing at the home of Bollywood actor Salman Khan, allegedly in retaliation for the actor’s involvement in the killing of two blackbucks.
The Bishnoi gang, known for its involvement in several murders and extortion rackets, originates from a desert-based religious sect that reveres the blackbuck as the reincarnation of their spiritual leader.
Salman Khan, who has faced the group’s ire since 1998 for shooting two blackbucks during a hunting trip, was targeted in the recent incident.
The gang’s incarcerated leader, Lawrence Bishnoi, had previously threatened Khan with assassination.
The shooting occurred at Khan’s residence in the upscale Mumbai neighborhood of Bandra during the early hours of Sunday. While Khan was present at home, he escaped unharmed due to the presence of armed guards.
The two assailants, aged 24 and 21, were apprehended in the western state of Gujarat on Tuesday, according to police reports.
“We were able to locate the two accused near a temple,” stated Kutch district police officer Mahendra Bagaria. “One of our teams reached the temple and nabbed the accused.”
The Bishnoi community had pursued legal action against Khan for the blackbuck shooting for two decades, resulting in Khan’s conviction under the Wildlife Protection Act in 2018. However, his sentence was suspended on appeal shortly after his imprisonment, prompting threats from Lawrence Bishnoi.
The gang leader has been linked to several murders, including that of popular Indian rapper Sidhu Moose Wala in 2022.
Despite his success in Bollywood, Salman Khan’s personal life has been marred by controversy, including a high-profile hit-and-run case in 2002, for which he was later acquitted but continues to face legal challenges.
