In the wee hours of April 14, gunfire erupted outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan's residence. Today’s court hearing shed light on the suspects who changed their appearances thrice post the shooting, leaving behind clothes and shoes still sought by the Crime Branch. They were armed with two pistols and 40 rounds of ammunition.
The investigation officer revealed in court that the suspects fired five rounds, with 17 bullets recovered and a search on for the remaining 18 rounds. The Crime Branch arrested the two shooters from Kutch in Gujarat following the incident.
According to the public prosecutor, both accused hail from Bihar, and the search for their financial backer is crucial. While they reportedly harbored no animosity towards Salman Khan, the reason behind the shooting at his home is still being investigated.
Their defense counsel stated that both have been cooperative since their arrest and requested the court to consider judicial custody.
The investigation officer disclosed the recovery of the suspects' mobile phones, with numerous calls made that also require verification. The prosecutor requested four more days of police custody, after which the court sent the accused, Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal, to Crime Branch custody till April 29.
Pistol Disposed in Tapi River
The quest for the weapon began from day one. During interrogation, the shooters Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal informed the police that post the attack, they escaped Mumbai for Surat, and while en route to Bhuj via train, they discarded the pistol off a railway bridge into the Tapi River.
Shooters Nabbed in Temple Premises
Gupta and Pal executed the shooting outside Salman Khan's Galaxy Apartment on April 14 and fled the scene on a motorcycle. Technical surveillance enabled a joint team of Mumbai and Kutch police to apprehend them on April 16 in the premises of a Mata temple near Bhuj; they were found asleep.
