On April 14th, the Western Kutch Crime Branch apprehended both suspects involved in the firing at Mumbai's residence of Salman Khan from Bhuj, Gujarat. During interrogation, the suspects unveiled significant details. They confessed to disposing of the weapons in a Surat river following the execution of their plan.
Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal were provided with weapons for the act of firing a night before the incident, on April 13th. These weapons were handed over under a bridge in Bandra by an unidentified individual.
The weapons were discarded in the river
SP Mahendra Bagadia confirmed to Aaj Tak, "Preliminary findings suggest that the weapons were given to both suspects on the night of April 13th in Bandra. They had been staying in Panvel and had conducted reconnaissance of Salman's residence by bike and autorickshaw. Subsequently, on April 14th, they carried out the firing outside Salman Khan's house. They have informed our officers that they have disposed of the weapons."
According to sources from the Bhuj Police, the suspect duo was arrested around 1:30 AM by the Crime Branch officials in the Mata Nu Madh temple complex. Post-apprehension, the Mumbai Crime Branch was informed. In addition to technical inputs, the intelligence department facilitated the arrests within the temple compound, where a religious ceremony was occurring due to Navratri festivities.
In conversation with Aaj Tak, Bhuj Police sources confirmed that both were employed by Anmol Bishnoi, who had paid them a sum of money. They had also purchased a motorcycle to carry out the shooting, which was used in the incident on April 14th. Prior to this, they were residing in a rented accommodation in Panvel. Under the leadership of PI S.N. Chudasama, Bhuj Crime Branch team apprehended them around 1:30 AM. Both were resting in the temple complex where a ritual was unfolding.
Fired upon Anmol Bishnoi's orders
When the Crime Branch queried them, and urged them to confess, they admitted to the shooting. Police sources revealed that the suspects claimed to have followed the instructions of Lawrence Bishnoi's brother, Anmol Bishnoi, to perform the shooting. They also disclosed that they threw the weapons into a river in Surat. The interrogation revealed that this was their first criminal act. For further investigation, both have been handed over to the Mumbai Crime Branch, which has already transported them from Bhuj to Mumbai.
Abandoned the bike and proceeded to Borivali on foot then by autorickshaw
How familiar the assailants were with the area surrounding Salman's residence is evident by the varied routes they used to escape. According to police, after the shooting, the suspects traveled by bike to Mount Mary Church in Branda, where they left their motorcycle before proceeding on foot.
Then, the suspects took an autorickshaw to Bandra railway station, boarded a train headed towards Borivali, alighted at Santacruz railway station, and continued their escape. All this information was gathered from CCTV footage. Upon reviewing CCTV from these locations, the suspects were visible, prompting police to examine further footage.
