Tragedy struck the investigation of the Salman Khan firing case as Anuj Thapan, one of the accused involved in supplying the firearm, ended his life by a suicide attempt while in custody. Thapan, aged 32, was found hanging in the toilet of the lock-up at the crime branch in Mumbai’s police commissioner’s office on Wednesday. Despite efforts to save him, Thapan succumbed to his injuries during treatment at GT Hospital.
Thapan’s involvement in the case stems from accusations of supplying weapons to individuals who fired shots outside Salman Khan’s residence in Bandra on April 14. This incident, which occurred during the early hours, saw two men on a motorcycle firing five rounds, one of which hit the actor’s balcony. Thapan, along with another suspect, Sonu Subhash Chander (37), was apprehended by the Mumbai Police in Punjab on April 25.
The Mumbai Crime Branch, terming the attack as a “carefully planned assault,” relied on CCTV footage showing one of the suspects firing toward Salman Khan’s residence. Investigations have revealed that the accused were allegedly hired by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to carry out the attack, as stated by Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Kutch West, Mahendra Bagadiya.
In a significant move, on April 27, the Mumbai police invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in connection with the firing incident outside Salman Khan’s residence. This act has been applied not only to the shooters, Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21), but also to Thapan and Sonu Subhash Chander (37), accused of supplying the firearms and bullets. Moreover, Lawrence Bishnoi and his brother Anmol Bishnoi have been listed as wanted accused in the case.
The tragic turn of events with Thapan’s suicide has added another layer of complexity to the investigation. Questions arise regarding the circumstances leading to his suicide, as well as the impact it might have on the overall case. Authorities are likely to intensify scrutiny to prevent further incidents and ensure the thoroughness of the investigation.
Thapan’s demise also sheds light on the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in handling high-profile cases involving organized crime. The Mumbai Police will need to reevaluate their protocols to prevent such occurrences in the future.
As the investigation continues, the public remains vigilant, hoping for justice to be served in the Salman Khan firing case. The twists and turns in the case only emphasize the need for a robust legal framework to deal with organized crime and ensure the safety of public figures and citizens alike.
