Two individuals linked to a notorious criminal gang were arrested after firing at the Mumbai residence of Bollywood actor Salman Khan. The incident, which took place in the upscale Bandra neighborhood, occurred in the early hours of Sunday and appears to be in retaliation for Khan’s past hunting activities.
The attackers, aged 24 and 21, were apprehended on Tuesday in Gujarat, near a temple in the Kutch district. Local police successfully located and detained the suspects following a targeted operation.
Salman Khan has been a controversial figure ever since he was accused of killing two blackbucks during a hunting trip in 1998. The blackbuck is considered sacred by the Bishnoi community, a desert-based religious group that views the species as the reincarnation of their spiritual leader. This incident has made Khan a target of the Bishnoi gang, whose imprisoned leader, Lawrence Bishnoi, has previously threatened the actor.
Despite these threats, Khan, who was at home during the shooting, remains one of Bollywood’s top actors, having appeared in nearly 150 films. His career, however, has been marred by several legal issues, including a high-profile hit-and-run case in 2002 where he was accused of running over five people, resulting in one death.
The Bishnoi community has long pursued justice for the blackbucks, leading to Khan’s conviction in 2018 under the Wildlife Protection Act. Although his five-year prison sentence was suspended on appeal, the leader of the Bishnoi gang has vowed to seek retribution, linking him to other violent acts, including the murder of rapper Sidhu Moose Wala in 2022.
The case continues to unfold as Khan faces ongoing legal challenges both from his past actions and current threats against his life.