In a significant development, the Mumbai crime branch has apprehended another individual linked to the shooting incident outside the residence of Bollywood superstar Salman Khan in Bandra. The arrest of Harpal Singh, a 34-year-old resident of Fatehabad, Haryana, marks the sixth in connection with the firing that took place on April 14 outside Khan's Galaxy Apartment in Bandra.
Harpal Singh's Alleged Role and Arrest
Harpal Singh was taken into custody by a team from the Mumbai crime branch in his hometown on Monday evening. Following his arrest, he was swiftly transported to Mumbai in the early hours of Tuesday. Singh is set to make his appearance before a court later today. According to officials, Singh's involvement in the shooting came to light during the interrogation of Mohammed Rafique Chowdhary, another member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang previously arrested in connection with the incident.
Insights into the Investigation
Reports suggest that Harpal Singh allegedly tasked Rafique Chowdhary with surveilling Salman Khan's residence and provided him with a significant sum of ₹2-3 lakh. Additionally, Anuj Thapan, accused of supplying weapons to the shooters, was found dead in a police lock-up in Mumbai on May 1, further complicating the case. Meanwhile, Lawrence Bishnoi, currently incarcerated in Gujarat's Sabarmati central prison, along with his brother Anmol Bishnoi, who is believed to be abroad, have been implicated in the shooting. Further revelations from the investigation indicate that the two individuals directly involved in the firing, Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta from Bihar, were allegedly unaware of their target until they received weapons and ammunition at their rented accommodation in Panvel. Both were apprehended within 48 hours of the incident and remain in judicial custody until May 27. It has been disclosed that Anmol Bishnoi assigned Pal and Gupta the shooting task, although they were reportedly unaware of their target until the weapons were delivered.
Parallel legal development
Meanwhile, the Punjab and Haryana High Court recently granted permission for a second post-mortem examination of Anuj, who died in police custody following his arrest in connection with the shooting incident. The decision came in response to a petition filed by Anuj's mother, Reeta Devi, who sought a fresh examination. The court had directed the petitioner to transfer the body to Guru Gobind Singh Medical College in Faridkot by May 10, further adding a layer of complexity to the unfolding legal proceedings.
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